SPECULATION HELL WHEN IT COMES TO MACHADO

This tweet sums up the entire Manny Machado sweepstakes...

Manny Machado’s barber is the second cousin twice removed of the street cart vendor in the Bronx who sells Aaron Hicks a hot dog before every home game so therefore Machado is signing in NY.
You can’t dispute facts like this.

— Allison Case (@ThatNYYChick) January 6, 2019

The whole thing is insanity, isn't it?  No one knows where Manny will go and you all just have to sit back and wait. And that's it.  No baseball insider knows... if they put out anything... IT'S A GUESS. And here's the best part for them; In the social media world, there is zero concern about getting it right or wrong. It's a cesspool of stories to peak interest and no real source attached. If they get it wrong, they don't lose their job, they aren't reprimanded and they don't have to apologize... it's chaos.
If they get it right, they're the "I called it" guy and they are superstars among their peers.  And you know what I think? It's destroying the world of journalism. It's destroying integrity and respect and the owning solid stories and having pride and character in your work. It's about being first and if they're wrong? Oh well... life goes on. They aren't docked pay... nothing.

That's why I kid about using the words "high industry sources" instead of just "sources". Sounds important... it means the same thing... I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING... but you think I do.

That's why Jon Heyman says "Someone familiar with the situation".  Because that someone could be a real baseball guy or the milkman.  No one knows... and that's how Jon likes it, because it protects him in this loose world of ridiculousness. And Heyman's thinking? People are dumb anyway... they'll click on that. Fact.

And here's the topper of the day... the New York Daily News... and their headline...

"Manny Machado's good friend Jon Jay signs with White Sox, joining Yonder Alonso: reports"

This is a real story folks. And I guess that headline was designed to get Yankee fans crazy, and trust me, it will work!

Photo: Chicago Tribune / Jon Jay

OH MY GOD, JON JAY SIGNED WITH THE WHITE SOX...there goes Manny. It's up for interpretation, and Yankee fans will interpret it as bad... and that's what the paper wants.  They want you to read it. They want you to click it.  Be smart. Don't waste your time!

I'm gonna be honest with you, because I'm an independent thinker... I don't care if Manny plays with the Yankees or the Albuquerque Balloon Knots. Wait to report it and then we'll report it here on BYB.

We have gone insane as a journalistic society.  Twitter is shit now.  Facebook is not much better.  There's no safe place to write good, solid stories and get people really thinking and engaged.

Thank god for our smart, BYB freaks.  You get it.

For now, this is what is known as fact when it comes to Manny Machado... NOTHING.

Carry on.

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

CASHMAN TOLD MACHADO OF HIS INTENT TO SIGN TULO

Keeping stakeholders in the loop of decision-making and other important aspects of a company is essential for transparency and positivity. Things are no different at the Yankees, or at least by the looks of things when it comes to the team's communication surrounding the signing of Troy Tulowitzki despite their interest in Manny Machado.

 Source: Rich Schultz/Getty Images

As BYB Managing Editor Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa wrote earlier in the week, the Yankees view their new acquisition of Tulo as a "spare part, but Machado is the grand prize and the Yankees think he will help get them a championship. You really think they are going to just walk from him?" Exactly, and that's why it should be no surprise to you that GM Brian Cashman informed the Machado Camp of the Yankees intent to sign Tulowitzki.

Source: NY Post

According to ESPN, "Cashman only acknowledged that he has remained in contact with Machado and his representatives. The late December meeting with them at Yankee Stadium was a "positive," he added. The Yankees did let Machado and his team know ahead of time that Tulowitzki was going to be signed, Cashman said."  The expectation is that Tulowitzki will start at short stop at the start of spring training and that he is only filling in for Yankee stud short stop Didi Gregorius.

According to Jon Heyman's tweet on Saturday afternoon, Machado remains a free-agent as it appears he has not gotten the deal he was hoping for at this point.  In addition, "The Phillies are in the process of setting up a face-to-face meeting with Bryce Harper. The White Sox seem like a "long shot" to land Harper, and the Nationals remain interested in retaining the free agent," reported Heyman.

Source: Yahoo Sports

It's classy that the Yankees were upfront with their intent to sign Tulo.  And the Tulo sign is risky but at the same time very smart.  They signed him for the 555K minimum salary and if it doesn't work out, the Yankees can always release him.  "He knows that Didi is coming back, and he welcomes that," Cashman said. "He wants to be on a team with the best players, and if Didi comes back and is ready to go and plug and play, he's all for it," reported ESPN.

Source: NBC Chicago

So the Machado watch continues and Tulo is a Yankee.  Now the Yankees will continue to monitor CC Sabathia's recovery, follow up on the Sonny Gray talks and continue to build their pitching staff.  The Hot Stove continues to heat up as the road to pitchers and catchers draws one week closer.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @Suzieprof

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...

SUCKS TO BE BIRD

Greg Bird is gonna need to fight... and fight HARD.  This little nugget was brought to us by the great Jack Curry of YES fame...

As Cashman discussed the potential lineup for 2019, he referred to Luke Voit as the first baseman "unless Bird beats him out." So Voit is the leader in the clubhouse at first.

— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) January 4, 2019

And that's that.

Here's the thing, being the underdog for MLB players can be incredibly gratifying though. For one, there's no pressure, but 2... you have a significant reason to work extra hard to make it to the role you want.  Again, Bird needs to fight.

Look at Luke Voit. That dude wasn't the first baseman for the Yankees and then all the sudden Bird goes down and there's an opportunity and he performs better than expected.  Not to mention he's a freaking beast.


Look, there's no question Greg Bird can play and he will in 2019. I don't doubt that. But now he's got competition and he needs to perform and if he doesn't, the Yankees will know what kind of player he is.

Bird's a good player, he has just had some bad luck with injury and consistency.  Well... now he needs to work... and the Yankees and us Yankee fans need to see progress and improvement. That's the bottom line.

Nice nugget Jack.

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.

DAVID ROBERTSON MAKES HIS MOVE

And it's not to New York. He's headed to Philly.

ESPN has this:

"Free-agent reliever David Robertson has signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies that includes a third-year club option, the team announced Thursday. 

Robertson will make $10 million in 2019 and $11 million in 2020, a source told ESPN. A $12 million option for 2021 includes a $2 million buyout."

It's disappointing. I mean, I'm disappointed. Not with DRob… this is business, I'm thrilled he got the gig.  No, I'm annoyed at the Yanks. I mean obviously whatever DRob demanded wasn't in the cards which is unfortunate because the Yanks are probably counting every penny for when Manny says "Yes", but come on, this is a guy that's given blood and sweat to this team... TWICE.  At least negotiate a deal or try to.

The Phillies got a good pitcher and they should be happy with that.  I was never convinced that Robertson was ever a closer, but I love his balls and I love that he's going for it and that the Phillies are giving him an opportunity.  It's big for him. I hope he succeeds.

Congrats to David. My best to he and Erin. Good people.  A new chapter in Philadelphia.

Best of luck!

ADDING TULO DOESN'T MEAN MACHADO WON'T BE A YANKEE

Did you panic when the Yankees signed Troy Tulowitzki? Or maybe you were just okay or indifferent on it like me. It's a spare part for the Yankees, it's not a sign that the Yankees have moved on from the Machado sweepstakes. He's still the Yankees "prize" they are chasing after.

Everyone has their own opinion on Manny Machado. Whether you love him or hate him you can't compare Tulo and Machado. At this point, Tulo is nothing but insurance or a bench guy for the Yankees. Tulo missed all of last season due to bone spurs in both heals, but the Yankees obviously saw something that they liked at a recent public workout. He's cheap since we are only paying him the league minimum so he is low risk and high reward that will be easy to get out of if the Yankees find another option they like better. The Yankees added depth, the worst that can happen is he plays poorly, and the Yankees cut him but for $555,000 it could pay off for the Yankees.

Of course, that assumes that Tulo even makes it out of Spring Training, which is far from a guarantee considering his injury history. The Yankees aren't going to depend on Tulo to be their solution. It's too much to expect from a guy who missed all of last season, only played in 66 games in 2017 and has only played in 197 games since 2015. He hasn't played a full season since 2011. Hell, even banged up Jacoby Ellsbury has played in more games than Tulo in the same time frame. The Yankees aren't putting all of their marbles in Tulo's basket expecting him to be the player he was from years ago. That ship has sailed.

The Yankees and Machado have been infatuated with each other for a long time now. I mean, for a brief period of time Machado did follow YES Network on Instagram. So that could be a hint that a Yankee signing is imminent, right? Machado favors the Yankees, and the Yankees have an immediate area of need at shortstop and are looking to catch the Red Sox and end their championship drought. Both sides are interested in each other. If a deal is going to happen between the Yankees and Machado....it won't be jeopardized in any way by signing Tulo.

These two may play the same position but signing Tulo has nothing to do with Machado's fate as a Yankee. Tulo is a spare part, but Machado is the grand prize and the Yankees think he will help get them a championship. You really think they are going to just walk from him?

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

WHAT GARY SANCHEZ IS GRATEFUL FOR

Source: SNY

The new year brings about resolutions for the incoming year and reflections regarding the outgoing one.  For Gary Sanchez, who turned 26 during the month of December, he is using last year's poor performance and injuries to fuel resolutions for a great 2019 season.

Source: Sports Illustrated

“Thank you because that adversity has only fueled my fire to have a healthy, focused and improved 2019,” Sanchez wrote on his Instagram page earlier in the week.  According to the New York Post, "Gary Sanchez is trying to get a head start on putting an ugly 2018 behind him."  I can appreciate that.  Own the bad performances and perhaps behaviors that led to injuries, learn something from this and move on with focus and resilience.  I really hope he can keep his resolution and improve.

Source: The Sports Daily

Quite frankly, the Yankees need him to be consistent, strong and a leader on this growing team if they are going to make a run for the championship.  Catchers are traditionally anchors and managers of the infield.  Sanchez never quite stepped up to the role as other Yankee catchers have, but now is the time.

Source: NJ.com

"Despite his struggles, general manager Brian Cashman repeatedly has stated Sanchez is the team’s starting catcher, despite Miami All-Star J.T. Realmuto remaining on the market," wrote the Post.  This is more fuel for Sanchez's fire.  When someone places his faith and trust in you, you have to step up and meet expectations and even exceed them.

Source: USA Today

Pitchers and catchers will be reporting for active duty in early February, which is right around the corner.  Glad to hear that Sanchez has his head on straight.  I am hopeful he can deliver.  This has to be his year if it's going to be the Yankees' year.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

TULOWITZKI IS BRONX BOUND!

News broke about Troy Tulowitzki coming to the Bronx yesterday evening. Rumblings started around 6 and then things picked up. We'll give Passan a plug right here:

Free agent shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is in agreement on a deal with the New York Yankees pending a physical, league sources tell ESPN. Tulowitzki is expected to join the Yankees on a league-minimum deal, with the Toronto Blue Jays paying the remainder of his $20 million salary.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 2, 2019

But if you know anything about BYB and sources when it comes to Tulowitzki, it was my 16 year old that said this was going to be reality before anyone. Why? Because it made sense. We wrote this in a piece called YOU GOT ALL WORKED UP FOR NOTHING from December 14th...

"But will the Yankees get Tulowitzki? Makes better sense believe it or not. That's usually how the Yankees operate. Plus, with Didi coming back, it makes better financial sense."

Are we out of the Manny Machado sweepstakes? I doubt it.  With Tulo's injury track record it wouldn't make sense to walk away from Manny. Plus, Manny can play alittle third if we needed him too. And trust me, with an opportunity to come to the Bronx... Manny will make that concession. After all... his hero, Alex Rodriguez did the same thing.

Welcome to the Bronx Tulo. Hope that physical's clean.

YUSEI KIKUCHI OFF THE MARKET

Photo: AP

Now if you only read Bleeding Yankee Blue, and I encourage you to read everything, you don't know who Yusei Kikuchi is.  Well, he is a lefty, Japanese pitcher that was available to MLB teams this off season.  The Yankees were loosely... and I mean LOOSELY interested in this young pitcher.  And so, BYB opted to not really report on it because it's something they weren't truly engaged in.

It's being reported now that Kikuchi has signed a 4 year deal with the Seattle Mariners.  Hardball Talk writes:

"(Jon) Heyman says it’s a three-year contract with a player option for 2022, with the option possibly being replaced with an additional four-year guarantee."

Photo: AP

Whatever the case, it was put out today by Dan Martin of the New York Post that the Yankees "missed out". I mean... did they? In the same piece, Dan writes that the Yanks already have lefties...

"The Yankees already brought back southpaws CC Sabathia and J.A. Happ and acquired another lefty, James Paxton, in a trade with Seattle this offseason."

How many lefties do they need?

Silly.

EMOTION, REFLECTION & LOOKING FORWARD TO A BIG YANKEE 2019

Every year at midnight I put a post out on BYB expressing my pleasure in creating and writing on Bleeding Yankee Blue for you, the fans and our loyal readers.  I've done it every year except this one.  This year was different for me, and a lot has to do with what where I am emotionally, plus what we've accomplished here... but subliminally, I was looking for some space... a reset if you will, and so I only put out this Tweet. If you were on Facebook, you missed it.

Happy New Year to the best damn readers in the Yankee Fan World. The Bleeding Yankee Blue Freaks. Thanks for your loyalty and your intelligence. You are amazing. 2019 will be great, for the @Yankees and for @BleednYankeeBlu

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) January 1, 2019

My 2018 wasn't all what it was cracked up to be. There was struggle and minor successes in my own personal life. But I found a way to get around the negative by the end of the year and truly find what makes me happy. In the end, it comes down to my family... not you guys, but my real family whom I am crazy about. As they grow up they are doing many great things.  Finding achievement when they can. Enjoying the journey in whatever sport or academic they choose.  And for my wife and I, it's satisfying to now see them climb their mountain... the mountain of life officially. Sure... there's still time for them to be under my roof and grow up, but that time will fly by.  And so I mentioned not writing you all at midnight. Well... last night was probably going to be the last official time my family as a whole will be together on New Years Eve. Next year I will have older sons with driver's licenses and girlfriends and new interests. There will be other things, other than mom and dad and their little brothers.  And that makes me sad.  But here's the good news... they are growing up.  They are growing up into smart, strong men, something I always hoped for.  And I'm very happy about that. And so the emotional roller coaster was big this year, but now, on January 1, I am able to think about it.

Now when it comes to BYB, there's still so much work to be done. I wish I could sit here writing you 5 to 10 entries per day and sharing them on all social media and really drive up our readership.  It's always been in the back of my mind.  Truth is this is a 'Mom and Pop' shop... not Walmart. We take time in what we write here. We care. We share with our group of BYB Freaks in the hopes that you all can pass along to your friends for us. It's a Grassroots movement if you will.  Sure, one day we'll get there, but while my family is growing up and life gets crazy... you all need to be patient.

In 2019, we will move on to new merchandise officially. I know I've been promising this, and the truth is I tried working with other companies on this stuff, but it's hard.  The products didn't come out the way I wanted them.  And so, as you see above, we will be bringing back the now famous Navy Blue BYB Tank for women and will be losing the stuff below. The quality was poor... our audience deserves the best.

And so, I have heard your complaints, and I will work to change that, even if I have to figure out how to do it myself with my crazy schedule.

There were assholes this year. The haters.... there always are.  We are strong enough here with our morals, our minds and our fan base to crush the haters and move on.

I love to publicly put them on blast because in the end, it just shows how small they really are.  We will do more of that and let you know who they are so you can block them like we have.

Truth is there is literally NOTHING on Bleeding Yankee Blue that you can hate, other than the fact that you may disagree with a premise or opinion, and in which case hate is still not warranted.  And so, chill.  We write because we love our Yankees. When you're a fan... there is no wrong answer. There may be disagreement, but what should always follow next is educated debate.  If you can't do that, go to the comments section of River Ave Blues. We're not interested in that. ( I say that fondly. I like RAB. Without blogs like that, BYB would not be here.)

There was kindness and love in 2018 as well.

I've said this once and I'll always say it. We literally have the best damn fans in the world. You guys are the ones that make folks like Suzie Pinstripe and Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa want to write every single day. You are the ones that make us happy, that get us excited about our favorite team in the world.  You make us feel comfortable... we love your support and your encouragement and your banter... EVERY... SINGLE... DAY. It makes us happy. You make us happy.

And I'm being honest here... I want some of you out there to contact me. I want to have you write with us.  I want you to be part of our staff... even if it's one article a week. Even if it's 2.  3. 5. I don't care. It's strength in numbers and while we have seen writers come and go, it was clear to me that burn out is definitely a thing. A lot of writers say to me, "Yes, I can write all the time for you." And yes, it starts out with an energy and passion like it did for me. But with life comes their lack of making deadlines and sooner or later... the writer that wanted to write couldn't hack it.  Hey, I fault no one for that. What I am saying is writing for a popular fan site is hard as hell.

That being said, think about it. Find me, message me and let's get moving. We will guide you. We will help you get exposure and in the end, you will help us. BYB is a Yankee fan site built because one guy... me, was tired of the direction the Yankees were going and fed up with the blogs that were out there at that moment way back in September 2010.  We helped change the landscape and made it less about stats and more about honest opinion and celebration or dismay.  We want you to help be part of that moment now 8 years later.

It's about family after all. A big happy, Yankee/BYB Family. We love you guys.  We love your thoughts, your matching passion and you as people. Thank you all for this incredible ride.  While 2018 wasn't perfect for me, nothing is. All we can do it look forward to 2019 and work to make it better for everyone.  Suzie, Jeana and I plan on doing that. We are even talking about our next step... a podcast. Bet on it.

I leave you with this. Something from one of our loyal BYB Readers since the very beginning, who reminded me of something I wrote on Facebook 3 years ago. Well... she brought it back to me. It reminds me of how far we've come, not only at BYB but in my own life.

At that moment, and I remember it well... I chose to climb the mountain.

Won't you join us?

--Robert Casey
BYB Chief, Managing Editor & Head writer
Twitter: @BleedingYankeeBlu