COULD YANKEES AND METS STEAL EACH OTHER'S FRANCHISE PLAYERS?

Source: New York Post

Well, how's that for a headline? It's an interesting idea but I am not so sure how real it is. I mean anything can happen—it is Hot Stove season after all. But could the Yankees and Mets swap their greatest modern day franchise players? Jacob deGrom just entered the free agency market joining Aaron Judge who wasn’t thrilled with the Yankees’ $213.5 million offer in spring. deGrom officially opted out of his current contract on Monday. Events leaving me and many others to question: Could the Yankees and Mets steal each other's franchise players?

According to the New York Post, "The belief is that the Yankees will be willing to top Judge’s $36 million a year asking price from back in spring, before he became the AL single-season home run record holder, and if deGrom wants to top Max Scherzer’s record $43.3 million Mets salary, as some suggest, the strong indications are that it will not be with the Mets." But would the Yankees buy deGrom over Judge? Would they even be given that choice?

Source: Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

The Mets locked up their trumpet-themed closer Edwin Diaz earlier this week. The Yankees picked up Luis Severino's $15 million team option for 2023. The Mets now seem focused on keeping their center fielder Brandon Nimmo a Met and the Yankees, well keep Judge a Yankee. So is the idea of franchise swapping futile?

According to the Post, "The speculation that either New York team may try to steal the other team’s marquee franchise player — i.e. the Mets signing Judge, the Yankees signing deGrom — has no noticeable legs. There’s an era of good feeling between our local teams, and while that may not last, it seems very evident right now. Neither side seems up for an intracity war. " Well that's good. But are the Yankees willing to let Judge sign his career way to the San Francisco Giants? And what will happen to deGrom? 

Hot Stove and others predict Judge will receive a big offer from the Giants while deGrom could be a welcome addition to the pitching staff of the new manager of the Texas Rangers, Bruce Bochy—ironically a three-time World Series manager for yes, the San Francisco Giants. Irony is everywhere.

Source: Yahoo Sports

Stealing franchise players could well, cause a riot in New York. And truthfully speaking, not good for the sport. The Yankees need to be focused on signing Judge and keeping Anthony Rizzo. And if the Mets let deGrom walk, they need to think about who they are replacing him with on a pitching roster that was very unforgiving at the end of the 2022 season. The Hot Stove is heating up with more interesting trade concepts coming in over the next few weeks leading up to the Winter Meetings in December. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

A YANKEES WINTER IS COMING...

Yep, it's an overly done and now dated cliche' "Game of Throne" reference.  I'm just now binge watching... so cut me a break. 

Years ago I wrote a post for BYB where I described walking the cold, gray streets of Manhattan a week after the holidays had officially ended. Trudging lonely sidewalks and passing the dead, discarded Christmas trees. There was just a heavy sense of sadness. Well damn it if I don't feel that way again... AND IT'S NOT EVEN THANKSGIVING YET!!

The Yankee offseason feels like those lonely, cheerless streets of the Big Apple post-12 Days of Christmas. The skeleton Christmas trees symbolizing the Dynasty Years. A time when being a New York Yankee was on every player's wish list...EVEN YOU, VLAD JR!! Ya mutt.

Now it doesn't feel that way, does it? It seems the Yankees have finally put on the leather jacket, trunks and water-skis and JUMPED THE SHARK! (cliche' #2 for ya'll). 

We will most likely lose Aaron Judge to a west coast team willing to pay him. Do I think he take the money over the pinstripe glory? YUP! I think he wants every nickel. I think he is done with Cashman and Co. I think he KNOWS this ship was built with a hole in it.  And, most importantly, I think he symbolizes the new feeling about the Bronx Bombers... they ain't the place to be anymore.

Once that happens the rest will follow suit. Even Anthony "Guys don't stay in the same place anymore" Rizzo is outta here. Why? Aaron Judge pulls a lot more weight in that current clubhouse than Jeter, Paulie, Mo, Andy, Jorge...or whatever Throwback Honoree they can roll out to make us remember when the Boss was at the helm and the Bronx was Burning with excitement.

The best thing about being a Yankee Fan in the George Days was that the team may have been business like - short haircut, no facial hair, no alternate uniforms, etc... BUT there was a PUNK ROCK heart.

The Boss didn't give a rat's ass what the world thought. He went out to get everything and everyone he could... the YANKEES were the F&^#*? YANKEES!!  Now it's... the Corporate Clown Show with his own son Hal as the ring leader. 

It sucks... We are Starbucks. We are a chain restaurant like Outback Steakhouse. Sure, there's steak and a bloomin' onion to hold you over, but it ain't the Old Homestead over on the westside is it?

We are in for a long, cold, joyless haul, gang. The team will try to re-sell Boone and Cashman's plan...peppered with things like Jim "THE KING" Leyritz Day ...but it won't take. They'll push HERE COMES VOLPE...but it'll be a while before we can see if AV is anything like DJ.

No, we're screwed. The bill for seemingly automatic, endless post season appearances built on the Stick Michael Model as come due. Our Fall from Grace with God (of baseball) will be violent and swift. Is it the post Mickey Mantle 1960s bad? No, it'll be worse.

I'm sorry to dump this one on ya, I really am. I could be wrong! I have been (Greg Bird) and will be again. But my gut says batten down the hatches, all hands to their stations, trim the main sail... the black clouds come rolling, weather charging like a nightmare...and it will be. We ain't the place to be anymore, folks.

Fall From Grace may have been a better title than the cliche' crap I chose. I'll let Shane O and the lad redeem me...

 

--Mike O'Hara

BYB Contributor

Twitter: @mikeyoh21

CLINT FRAZIER JUST SIGNED WITH A DARK HORSE...

 Oh yeah and apparently, Clint goes by another name now too.

I don't know what to make of it. I couldn't really find it in the mainstream press, but I found the story none the less and I am really waiting for the other shoe to drop. It's a weird one, but I guess it's a good one for him and whatever man, I was always a fan of Frazier's, I just want this guy to be happy and playing baseball.

A publication called Momento Deportivo reports that Frazier is on his new club:

"The Toros del Este continue to make moves to climb the leaderboard and announced the signing of Major League Baseball outfielder Clint Frazier...

"Frazier is a bat that will help us in the production of runs, he has extra-base power and we will have him ready to debut on the weekend," Raymond Abreu, general manager of the Toros, said at the time of announcing the signing.

Jackson Frazier, as he calls himself now, has seen action with the Yankees' big team since the 2017 seasons spent 2021 and signed as a free agent in 2022 with the Chicago Cubs, but an appendicitis process limited his playing time last season. Injuries, specifically concussions, have affected him in the past but the Decatur, Georgia, native is healthy and ready to help the Bulls."

New name, new team, clean slate? Hey, I welcome it. 

Frazier had some issues and when he was with the Yankees, there is no shot because they just had too many outfielders and Frazier got pushed aside. They really screwed him. But I always rooted for this guy. 

Bottom line is this story is legit and I have no reason to believe it's false, I am happy for Frazier! I wish the guy well. Hey, maybe I'll reach out and see if I can get an interview with him for Bleeding Yankee Blue. I'd love to see what he says about how everything went down with him and the Yankees. 

Good luck Clint, or Jackson... You know what? I'll just call him Frazier!

YANKEES NAIL DOWN SEVERINO... AND SO IT STARTS

First off, let me say that we have a pretty great opinion piece coming out tomorrow from Mike O'Hara. We know you read me, Suzie and Jeana here at Bleeding Yankee Blue and we are clearly the crew that holds it together. We appreciate you reading us, sharing our stories and having a solid banter with us on social media. But as the BYB Chief, it's nice when we get other points of view too. Guys like Mike O'Hara, Douglas Solomon and Ike Dimitriadis are always welcome to write here on BYB. We appreciate the different takes once in a while. 

That being said, let's point out that the Yankees have started their off-season. Max Goodman and Inside the Pinstripes writes:

"New York exercised their 2023 club option for Luis Severino, keeping him in pinstripes for at least one more season...

The Yankees picked up Luis Severino's $15 million option for the 2023 season on Monday, insuring that the right-hander does not become a free agent this offseason.

Severino is coming off his first full season in pinstripes since a three-year stretch where he pitched in only seven games, sidelined with two significant injuries to his pitching arm (including Tommy John surgery in 2020)."

I personally loved watching Sevy pitch for us this year. Alot of fun and you can tell that this guy is finally figuring it out which is what we've always wanted.  

Next up in my opinion is to get Rizzo locked in. And I don't mean for 1 year, I mean for a few. This guy is a team leader. Sure, he doesn't hit for average, but he does come up clutch and is a fan favorite. Important for us to have him.

Welcome back Sevy. Let's keep going!

WHERE'S HAL? QUIT HIDING & FACE THE MUSIC!

I'm sure we are all tired of hearing Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman talk, it's the same song and dance. We know what they are going to say and don't get any satisfaction afterwards. It's disappointing and it's tiresome. We got more of the same on Friday and I'm done listening to them. Why isn't Hal Steinbrenner talking?

Now, I know Hal isn't going offer any pearls of wisdom either, but he shouldn't be hiding. He should've been speaking at that press conference, not his minions. It's time to take some accountability and quit hiding from everyone. He's the owner of the New York Yankees, and he has failed to do what his father lived for.... WIN championships. 

We all know that Hal doesn't have the passion for this the way George did. His father used to eat, sleep, drink and breathe baseball. He EXPECTED greatness and loved the spotlight. Neither of these apply for Hal...and neither does accountability, which is sad. We the fans deserve that. We should be hearing from Hal, not his minions.

Instead, we get to listen to more of the same. We all listened to what 2023 is supposed to bring. We heard all about the shortstop competition that will happen, and that Giancarlo Stanton should be in the outfield a couple times a week. Oh, and don't forget that Aaron Hicks will be back because the Yankees feel like "he still has something to offer" but I guess the Yankees don't expect that offering to be useful. I'm ready for Hicks to go. That contract Cashman gave him was horrible, but that doesn't matter. Again, no accountability.

We shouldn't be listening to Cashman and Boone telling us that "it sucks" that the Astros have "wreaked havoc on us." We already know this and watched it. How do we get back on top? That's what we need to hear and we need to hear it from Hal....this is supposed to be HIS team and his legacy. 

What do you want your legacy to be, Hal? Make it happen. Stop hiding.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

HEY VLAD, FEELINGS MUTUAL—GROW UP

Source: Yahoo Sports

I really liked watching Vlad Guerrero, Sr. play. He was strong; he was confident, and he always gave the Yankees a run for their money—all traits that gave him the numbers to earn a spot in baseball's Hall of Fame. In fact, my son and I rooted for Vlad, Sr. despite the fact that he did not play for the Yankees but rather against them across multiple teams over the years. And who forget his 2007 Home Run Derby win. Classic. As much as I want to like and root for his son, Vlad Guerrero, Jr., I just can't. Between his immature actions during Toronto's walk off against the Yankees late in the season to his pure ignorance this week, I simply don't have room for his attitude in my life. 

If you missed it, during a recent interview with social media influencer, Vincent Carmona Arias, Guerrero Jr. said, “I like to play in New York. I like to kill the Yankees. I would never sign with the Yankees, not even [when I’m] dead." A bit extreme, Vlad. Remember you get to play baseball. I see you haven't grown up much in the last few months. Feelings mutual—we don't want you to sign here either.

According to CBS Sports, "A few weeks ago Guerrero told (Z101 Digital's Héctor Gómez) he is open to signing a long-term extension with Toronto. "I feel really happy playing here. I hope something can be done about it this offseason," he added. Being open to a long-term deal and taking a discount are two very different things. The Yankees know that well after failing to lock up likely AL MVP and free agent-to-be Aaron Judge earlier this year."

Aaron Judge carries himself with such maturity and an overall kind and respectful demeanor. He held his emotions in check during his recent home run record, had insightful words after some really tough losses and showed multiple times the team player he is, often giving up the spotlight for his peers.

Team president, Randy Levine shared just how valuable Judge is to the Yankees. "We think Aaron Judge is an all-time Yankee. We think he's a great player, beyond a great player. We think he's a great person. That's why we offered him the highest position player contract in the history of the Yankees. I admire him that he went out and took this upon his shoulders and we'll sit down with him and hopefully figure it out. I think there's no question we want him back and no question we value him," reported CBS Sports.

Not sure you'd find too many people saying the same about Guerrero. And certainly, you would not see Aaron Judge act the way Vlad has. 

Source: New York Times

So, guess what, Vlad, you don't really get to choose where you play. In fact, as CBS Sports points out, "Guerrero may rethink his position if the Yankees put $500 million on the table in three years." Baseball is a sport you get to play. You have talent and you are lucky to have that talent. Don't take it for granted and act like an ass. The Yankees don't like when players put themselves before their team, just ask Aroldis Chapman. 

HARRISON BADER: THE SMARTEST GUY IN THE ROOM

Today was the ridiculous Aaron Boone, Brian Cashman dog and pony show. 

A whole lot of nothing from a bunch of reporters, whom I respect tremendously by the way, but who are unwilling to deliver a severely tough punch to either Boone or Cashman about the true state of the Yankees. Why? Because they will lose access if it gets too rough. I respect them, but get me in that room, I'd be all over them.

Anyway, listen, today wasn't a great presser. People forget what this presser was supposed to be about. No, it wasn't about beating the Houston Astros and what the formula should be. It wasn't about IKF and trying to put blame on him for the failed season. 

What these press conferences should be about are WHY it went wrong, and WHAT SOLUTIONS are the Yankees going to make.  Boone said nothing significant, and Cashman said that Boone did a terrific job. That made me choke on my chicken wing, because the eye test alone will tell you that Boone is drowning out there every night with his Yankee pals.

But the big question was about Aaron Judge, which needed to be asked.  To that, Cashman said this:

“We’d love to be able to bring Aaron Judge back and have him being able to maintain being a member of this franchise and the path he’s currently on is Hall of Fame-like... Nothing better than to have him continue to man right field for us and impact us on and off the field the way he has thus far.”

When asked if he's talked with Judge and his agent, he said:

“We’ll have certainly the conversations as promised and see where they take us, but he’s put himself in a great position to have a lot of choices.”

Here's the thing though, this is all general banter to get through the press conference. You want to get a real feeling about the love of this guy, you got to talk to the players, his teammates. Rizzo loves him, Nestor Cortes says we need to bring the "captain" back.  Even new guy Harrison Bader loves him. But Bader was the most realistic about the reality of the situation and I actually love this guy for his honesty and bringing everyone back to earth.  At the end of the day, it's a business.

Yardbarker writes:

"Listen, if Albert Pujols … can [leave], anybody could [leave]," Bader explained during a Tuesday appearance on MLB Network...Bader was referencing how Pujols rejected an offer from the St. Louis Cardinals, his employer at the time, to sign with the Los Angeles Angels in December 2011. Meanwhile, Bader joined the Yankees via a trade from the Cardinals in August.

"It’s a business," Bader continued about Judge, who is on track to reach free agency after he turned down a seven-year, $213.5 million contract extension offer from the Yankees before Opening Day. "I learned that very quickly this year. There are no hard feelings at all. It’s never personal. It’s about the game. Selfishly, I’d love to continue to be [Judge’s] teammate. He’s an incredible talent."

"[Judge] earned everything that’s coming his way," Bader remarked. "I wish him the absolute best wherever he ends up. It’s a decision he and his family will make."

And so, here's the thing... Aaron Judge owes this fan base nothing. He's done what he was supposed to do. Is he torn? Maybe. This is the biggest franchise there is. Is he annoyed with the fans? Maybe. I mean you have to admit booing players is pretty JV and childish. But as fans you have the right. I'd never do it, but I understand why people would.  And finally, the big question, does money really effect Judge's thinking?  Sure, it does. It effects everyone's thinking.

But at the end of the day, out of everything I heard about Judge and the opinions about him and his free agency situation? The 28-year-old from Bronxville says it best.  Bader is right, it's business. The Yanks will make an offer, other teams will too. And ultimately whatever happens, life goes on, for us fans, for Aaron Judge. But I will tell you this... if Judge doesn't come back, I bet we see others willing to walk as well, including the fans. And I like this team, I don't want that to happen.

What's the solution? Yanks have to be on their game. A nice big contract within reason, for the rest of his time in NY, some incentives and other goodies sprinkled in and give this guy the captain title.  Oh yeah... and put some guys around him that can win a championship, will ya?  

The last time was in 2009. We want another!

HILARIOUS! JOSE CANSECO TWEETS TO AARON JUDGE & INSULTS FANS

You just can't make some things up and this is one of them. Did you catch what Jose Canseco tweeted on Halloween? Was he hammered when he posted this? Sure looks like it! This is the twitter equivalent of drunk texting. Karen Judge....wow.

Did that baseball off of your head do permanent damage? Sure, looks like it. At any rate, Canseco has some interesting advice for Aaron Judge.

Not that I really care but.... who peed in Canseco's cheerios? This guy has a hot take on what a dump is, exactly. I mean, New York may not be perfect, but it is still home to Yankee stadium and both the NEW and old Yankee stadium are a hell of a lot nicer than the real dump he played in when he was with Oakland. 

And what about the fans, exactly? Someone needs to remind this guy that he was treated just fine for his short 37 game stay. In fact, he was treated better than what he probably deserved. The game doesn't exactly hold him in high regard. By the way, the Core Four handled New York just fine. In fact, Andy Pettitte came back after 3 years because he missed it so much. 

Maybe it's time to look in the mirror and realize it's about character and the way any athlete presents himself and less about how bad you think the fans are. It says more about you and your career than anything else.

Here's a solution for you, if Yankee stadium is such a dump and the fans were so terrible to you in your short stay why not give back that World Series ring you "won"? It's obviously weighing you down and brings back bad memories and you don't deserve the accolades. You are just a sad keyboard warrior now.... we get it.

Talk to text sucks sometimes.... or Jose Canseco is an idiot all of the time? I think the last one is more fitting. But by the way, why would Judge take advice from a guy who cheated? Seriously, time for a dose of reality. Someone who has cheated, lied and deceived MLB, it's teams and fans should probably keep his mouth shut and crawl back into his hole.

Judge doesn't need your advice, Canseco. No one does. I would however like to watch you square off against Aaron Judge. You are 58 and can't even tweet sober let alone hit a softball further than Judge.

Keep being the Keyboard warrior.... it's quite funny.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

WHY IT COULD MAKE SENSE FOR THE YANKEES TO LET RIZZO GO

Source: Sports Illustrated 

I hate the headline. But it had to be said. And this article will explore the likelihood of the Yankees breaking up with or resigning Anthony Rizzo, one of the Yankees most consistent hitters in 2022. Would it make sense to terminate the partnership? Well, actually Rizzo holds most of the cards in this situation but the Yankees could make things easier for Rizzo to stay. But will they?

"Coming off a strong season and an impressive October, Anthony Rizzo is expected to exercise the $16 million player option in his contract -- the second year of his two-year, $32 million deal -- and become a free agent. He has some significant leverage, considering the Yankees’ need for left handed power, as well as the way he performed in the postseason, Rizzo likely will be looking for a three-year deal for something close to $20 million a year," reported SNY. 

On the flip side is that Rizzo spent too long stints on the IL this season, both for reoccuring back issues. It appears his back problems are chronic and could even be compared to those that cut Yankees' famed first baseman, Don Mattingly's, career short. Recall, in August, I wrote WHAT RIZZO'S BACK INJURY MEANS FOR THE YANKEES? In the piece I talk about the short term and long term impact this condition could mean for the Yankees. 

Source: NBC Sports

"The chronic pain is not something new for the Yankee first baseman. And that is the thing that concerns me. I remember reading about how hard it was for Don Mattingly, particularly in his later years, to just get ready to play nine innings—stretching out, performing mobility exercises and I would imagine some over the counter pain-killers. I realize he had a pre-existing condition, but as he aged, his condition worsened."

Rizzo is 33-years-old. And he has been dealing with these back issues for years. How many more years can he continue to rehab and stay healthy? The Yankees could offer to resign him, but I am not sure it will be for more than two years, which could be the dealbreaker for the left-handed slugger.

Source: Reuters

"As one executive from an American League team told me, “Rizzo’s value is probably higher with the Yankees than any other team, because the ballpark is perfect for his swing and they need his lefthanded power. So I would expect them to get together on a deal, maybe two years and a mutual option," reported SNY. 

Will the Yankees and Rizzo continue their partnership? Hard to say. Rizzo could certainly join is teammate Aaron Judge and test free agency. But as the SNY article insightfully reminds us, Rizzo's bat is most valuable in a ballpark with a short porch right field. And Rizzo may just be persuaded to stick around for that and of course if his favorite right fielder stays in the Bronx with him. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof