JAY BRUCE IS A NEW YORK YANKEE!

Crazy how it happens, but it does... sometimes when you least expect it. Jay Bruce is a Yankee.

The New York Post writes:

"Jay Bruce is finally a Yankee. The lefty-swinging Bruce signed a minor league deal with the Yankees, a source confirmed Saturday, and he could provide a much-needed left-handed bat to the lineup if he’s on the roster."

So what does this mean for Brett Gardner? Interesting you ask. Suzie Pinstripe will have a solid Sunday feature. Be sure to look for it tomorrow.

In the meantime, welcome to New York, Jay!

DAVID ROBERTSON: PART 3

If you read my article the other day about David Robertson (Read THE SHOWCASE FOR DAVID ROBERTSON IS ON!), you know that I love and respect the man. This family will ever be in my top 10 because of the mere fact that years ago, they help take a no name blog in named Bleeding Yankee Blue and decided to throw on our shirt. 

We raised money for High Socks for Hope, and while it wasn't alot, it was alot for the small audience we had. And so, I'll forever appreciate David and Erin.

Now comes word that the Yankees may like him too... because they know what he has, knows what he's capable of... and is reliable on the bump.  Empire Sports Media writes:

"The Yankees have been keeping tabs on one former face, David Robertson. According to John Heyman, Robertson is on the comeback trail and pitched at the University of Alabama in front of multiple teams, including the Bombers. He touched 91 mph with his fastball and utilized his illustrious curveball.

Robertson has only pitched 6.2 innings over the past two years, with his last large sample size coming with the Yankees in 2018. During that season, he recorded a 3.23 ERA and 11.76 strikeouts per nine over 69.2 innings. He’s always been a double-digit strikeout per nine pitcher, and given he hasn’t played much over the past few years, he would be extremely cost-efficient."

Hey... you know what I say? Let's do it.

GREG BIRD TAKES FLIGHT WITH THE ROCKIES

 Hey... good for Greg Bird.

Hey, it looks like Bird has latched onto the Colorado Rockies. But let me just say, this poor guy has just had a string of bad luck over the last few years hasn't he? Read this from Fangraphs:

"...the Rockies announced on Thursday that they’ve signed Bird to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Bird, who’s still just 28 years old, is coming off a more miserable 2020 than most of us. Bad luck in the injury department, a constant throughout his major league career, continued to dog him to the point that he didn’t take a single competitive plate appearance for either of the two organizations with whom he signed minor league deals. 

Cast adrift by the Yankees in November 2019 — we’ll get to the saga that led there — he initially signed with the Rangers last February, and after getting called up from the alternate training site in late July, before he could play a single game, he strained his right calf. After a 10-day stint on the Injured List, he was designated for assignment and elected free agency. Upon signing with the Phillies in mid-September, he came up positive for COVID-19 during his intake testing, and never even made it to the alternate site."

Look, I hope Bird can turn it around. He is still young and has a lot of offer. He just needs some consistency... in a good way, not the bad way.

Good luck kid, go get'um!

GARDNER MAY BE GONZO!

If you are hoping the Brett Gardner comes back this season, you may be holding your breath right now. I know several people who were hoping that he would be back for the 2021 season and then retire. The latest rumors aren't very good. So if you are one of the ones holding your breath, you may want to exhale.

The latest gossip isn't good. According to multiple sources, NJ.com HERE (subscription required) and MLBtraderumors.com the Yankees and Gardner stopped communicating all the back near
 HALLOWEEN! That's a long time to not communicate at all if the Yankees are interested in bringing Gardner back.

It has to make you wonder what is going on and if the Yankees are genuinely interested. I thought that when the Yankees traded Adam Ottavino that the Yankees could use that money to try and sign Gardy. It made sense, but now maybe they have a different plan.

Is it possible that the Yankees are going to give Greg Allen a shot in the outfield instead? Or now that Eric Cressey said Giancarlo Stanton is "as athletic as I have ever seen him" maybe now he gets another opportunity in the outfield. You can read more on that HERE. Maybe the Yankees are content with what they have or at least feel like they have enough without Gardner until the trade deadline. 

Last week Brian Cashman did make some very non-committed sounding comments in regards to Gardy. 
"You know how we love Brett Gardner," Cashman said on Yankees Hot Stove. "He’s been here for a long time. We’ve bet on him forever. He’s always produced and honored those assessments that we’ve made, so it’s been a great marriage. I’m not saying you know it’s going to continue. I’m not going to say that it’s over. But he’s still on the board and we’re always trying to figure out a way to make ourselves better."

So it's been a great marriage between the Yankees and Gardy, but the Yankees may or may not be in it for HIS long haul. The Yankees may be ready to move on and maybe :figuring out a way to make ourselves better" doesn't include Gardy. I didn't read too much into Cashman's comment at first because this is what we expect from him. But now should we?

I'm not sure if pinstripes is in Gardy's future for 2021. It would be nice to see him retire as a Yankee on his own terms but it might not be the case. That's the tough part about business. It's not personal, but when you spend your entire career in one uniform it can't get anymore personal.

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

THE SHOWCASE FOR DAVID ROBERTSON IS ON!

This is a small story, but a good one. And the reason is because I have always loved and respected David Robertson and always will wish DROB and Erin the best. They were part of the Yankees family... they were a HUGE part of the BYB family and he's always been a successful pitcher and a great family.  

And so... we got news. MLB Trade Rumors writes:

Free-agent reliever David Robertson will hold his previously reported showcase on Thursday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweets. There will be a large group of teams in attendance, Heyman suggests, owing to a combination of the 35-year-old Robertson’s past accomplishments and what should be a low-risk contract. 

Robertson enjoyed great success as a Yankee and White Sox from 2008-18, establishing himself as an oft-dominant workhorse along the way, but the right-hander fell off as a Phillie after that. He threw 6 2/3 innings in an injury-shortened 2019 and didn’t pitch at all last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Look, I'd love the Yanks to give this guy a one year deal if they were to be present and liked what they saw, but I doubt it would happen at this point. For me, I just want to guy to latch onto another team and get after it.

Good luck bro! We hope you can continue your journey.

DESTINATION TAMPA

It is almost here; Spring Training that is. Despite the piles of snow in the Northeast and Mid-atlantic states, the sights and smells of spring are in the air and the bags are packed and ready for their trip down south to George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL.

Spring Training will begin on time, and so far MLB is planning to play the entire 162-game season. The biggest reason for fans to be excited is that MLB is also planning to hold fans at games this season and it looks like Spring Training will host up to 2,000 spectators in some locations. 

Source: SNY

Adding to the optimism, "newly acquired starting pitcher Jameson Taillon is said to be 'throwing with exceptional control and appears ready to go for the start of the Yankees' camp,' according to ESPN's Buster Olney," reported SNY.com. Coupled with starting pitcher Corey Kluber, the Yankees have made some innovative yet risky moves to buff up the rotation behind ace Gerrit Cole. And fans everywhere are hopeful that these pivots will give the Bombers what they need to lead the East and bring home the first championship since 2009.

"MLB in process of finalizing revised Grapefruit League schedule, placing teams in separate “pods” on east and west coasts of Florida, sources tell me and @MattGelb. West-coast teams in FL will play 28 games and east-coast teams 24, making up rest with intrasquad-type matchups," reported Ken Rosenthal via Twitter. According to Brian Hoch, due to these COVID-19 precautions and limited travel protocols this spring, the Yankees will see a lot of the Pirates, Blue Jays, Phillies, and the Tigers. 

With the Yankees packed up and ready to go, all sights are on destination Tampa and the building of a championship team. The Yankees kick things off against the Tigers on February 27th. Looking forward to seeing the guys in action again and excited about the possibilities of the 2021 season. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

THE YANKEES HAVE A NEW WORKOUT AND IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK

It's about time. In fact, it is way past time. I don't even understand what took so long.

In case you missed it, THIS is what I am referring to and yes it is way past time. After seasons of injury it seems that our hard hitting giants Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton have revamped their offseason workouts in a big way. It's big but not in the muscular way. Last winter there were pictures of Stanton bench pressing supermodel Adriana Lima and I cringed when I saw it. Now it sounds like both of them have cut back on the weights and are now focusing on their flexibility and agility.

Wow. Well I am glad Stanton is taking a break from bench pressing supermodels, but why the sudden change of heart? Eric Cressey the Yankees director of health and performance is also happy about the change, "we have to be mindful of the stresses on guys who are 6-foot-7, 6-foot-8. Big dudes who are standing around for long periods of time in cleats. Those are things that normal people don’t encounter. So I think we’ve understood their preparation has to be markedly different in terms of not just building them up as athletes, but building them up as baseball players where there is a gradual on-ramping of those specific stressors. Running the bases, changing directions, swinging. So both of those guys are in a good place."

I wish it hadn't taken this long to put two and two together but I guess better late than never. It sounds like it is embraced by a lot of the other guys too. "Aaron in particular has taken a heavy interest in a lot of yoga. We’ve had a great instructor in Dana Santas who’s come in and helped out at our spring-training complex. Not just Aaron, but Luke Voit and Mike Ford and Thairo Estrada and Nick Nelson, a lot of those guys who are down there. So that’s something that I think is important."

He's right, it is important and the yoga will be just as important as the weight training. Maybe if the Yankees embraced this sooner they would have fewer pulled muscles. Maybe it would've saved Stanton a few hamstring injuries last season. Hopefully it pans out this season and it helps our guys stay healthy this season and productive.

And now I am trying not to laugh as I think about Stanton and Judge doing yoga poses....but I dig it!

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

YANKEES ALWAYS LAND ON THEIR FEET

We have all fallen on hard times at different points in our lives. I am in one of those times right now. Pandemic blues, challenges at work, rapid change... they can bring you down but my brother said something today that really made me rethink the road ahead. "You always land on your feet." Think about that. Despite the difficulties, despite the transitions and abruptness that life deals us from time to time, we land on our feet. And so will the Yankees if history is any indicator of their greatness and dominance as a franchise in this sport.

"In 1923, the Yanks won their first World Series, led by slugger Babe Ruth’s three homers in six games. Four years later, the Yanks had assembled their fearsome “Murderers’ Row” lineup, but had only two homers over that whole 1927 Series, both from Ruth — which was still two more than the Pittsburgh Pirates managed while losing in four straight. In 1928, Lou Gehrig hit four homers for the Yanks during the Series, but Ruth still outshone his teammates by hitting three dingers in Game 4, doing his part to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals," wrote the Village Voice as President Biden took office in January. 

Source: THE VILLAGE VOICE, MAY 30, 1977; PHOTOS BY JAMES HAMILTON

The article in the Village Voice points to ebb and flows of the Yankees as a team, perhaps indicative of the times or even the administration in office. Ebb and Flows- the recurrent of coming and going or decline and regrowth. Certainly we have all experienced these patterns and the Voice even goes so far as to cite this interesting statistic, "for those who have been keeping score — that’s Dems 20, GOP 7 — what can we divine for 2021?"

Source: CBS Sports

The Yankees lived through cold, hard days and tough losses. Since Aaron Boone took the helm, they seem to be even more painful. But the Yankees have lived through worse. After winning in the 1950s and 1960s and dominating the sport, the Yankees experienced a drought. It was not until the late 1970s that the Yankees picked things up and then during the Ronald Reagan years, the dreaded 1980s, the Yankees went silent. Those were some tough, cold years. But the Yankees remained steadfast to their goals. Just like today. 

Source: ESPN

New faces in the White House and new faces in the clubhouse this year might just be the transformation the Yankees need to once again, land on their feet. So, don't let COVID-19, the threat of baseball delays or even the sour days since 2009 get you down. The Yankees are headed to greatness again because they always land on their feet. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

BAUER TO THE DODGERS & BOB NIGHTENGALE BLOWS IT

Trevor Bauer goes to the Dodgers. But don't ask Bob Nightengale. Because when all of the negotiation was going down between Bauer and the Mets and/or Dodgers, Bobby decided to call it early.

Maybe it was out of stupidity, maybe because it was 50/50. Maybe because he just likes to shake stuff up. But I'll tell you what he really did. He lost all credibility.

Day 37 of me asking @BauerOutage to leak me info on his free agency so Jon Heyman has to credit me when I break the news.

🎵 it's the final countdownnnnnnnnnn🎵 pic.twitter.com/tU4cer6NT0

— Greedy Pinstripes (@GreedyStripes) February 5, 2021

Even Greedy Pinstripes was closer on predicting Bauer going to the West coast as he was eagerly trying to get Trevor to tell him before everyone else.  Maybe that was a gimmick, and pure twitter comedy, but the truth is, Bob Nightengale isn't a baseball insider... not even close. Greedy Pinstripes has it on lock before that dude any day of the week.

Anyway, Bauer is a Dodger. Here's the story. MLB Trade Rumors has it:

"The Dodgers have agreed to a deal with top free agent starter Trevor Bauer, reports MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (via Twitter). It’s a three-year deal with opt-outs after year one and year two, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand adds that Bauer is guaranteed a total of $102MM on the deal, which includes a $40MM salary in 2021 and a $45MM salary in 2022. Both marks establish new records for the highest single-season salary, though the contract’s overall $34MM average annual value is still a bit shy of Gerrit Cole’s record $36MM. Bauer himself has confirmed the signing on YouTube."

And you know why that snippet is interesting? Because they put the story together with legit tweets from guys that took the time to NOT get it wrong. Nightengale is no where to be found, because HE'S NOT CREDIBILE.

Good luck in LA,Trevor. I would have loved you in the Bronx, but some times things don't always go a person's way... just ask Bob Nightengale.

WELCOME TO THE LIST, PEDY

I would often refer to him as an ulcer. He was genuinely a giant pain in my ass...even standing at 5' 3" or whatever the Sox program listed his height to be. Dustin Pedroia was truly a giant in the New York vs Boston Rivalry. He played the game the right way. He busted his butt down the line...even when drawing a walk (which was infuriating!). He was always in a dirty uniform from flat out hustle. HE PROVED ANYONE of any shape or size can play this game! I couldn't stand Pedy and loved him in the same breath. He was a real ballplayer in every respect.

After many bouts with nagging injury the "Little Engine that Could" Red Sox 2nd baseman is calling it a career....and what a career it was. Years ago I wrote about the difference between Pedroia and Cano...I didn't have a crystal ball then....you don't need one to see how their stories would wrap up. 

The classic tale of the little, nut gathering worker putting in extra time to prep for winter and the lazy rabbit who couldn't be bothered with hustle playing out on a Major League diamond. Robbie is a cautionary tale to be told....Dustin may, one day, have a street near Fenway named in his honor...and I hope that street is constantly under construction...it would be appropriate given the FACT that this guy never stopped grinding to improve upon himself. Never.

This brings me to my list. A list I'm sad to admit continues to add names of enemy combatants from the Bay State. They are the Sox I wish were Yankees. Up until now the list is as follows:

Jim Rice

Dewey Evans
(C )Jason Varitek
Trot Nixon
Tim Wakefield

And now...Dustin "The Laser Show" Pedroia. They were just guys who would've been revered in the Bronx. They always hustled. They hated to lose...they had what O'Neill and Tino ran on....heart. 

I will missed Pedy. He was what was great about the Yanks and Sox. You got a sick feeling in your gut when he was at the plate in a big spot (the crouching catcher still a inch of two taller than him) knowing he'd pepper one off the Monster or go opposite field and find the untended pin that is Pesky's Pole for a 4 Beantown Bagger. That was, oddly, something I almost looked forward to. It was the fight these two clubs have always shared...it was fun to watch...just like Dustin.

Classic interview with Dustin Pedroia after a tough loss. ⚾️🔥pic.twitter.com/hLqHPa4HFX

— Hardball Highlights™ (@BSBVAULT) February 1, 2021

 

I tip my cap to this favorite son of the Boston Red Sox. He was one that I'll always remember for the best of reasons. Pedy did it right.

This one makes me think of the guy like Pedy who played the National Pastime like a true Working Class Man.

Thank you, Dustin. Congratulations on a hell of a run.

 

--Mike O'Hara

BYB Contributor

Twitter: @mikeyoh21

CASHMAN BAGS ANOTHER BARGAIN FIND!

The Yankees certainly have mastered the "bargain shop" mentality this winter minus the notable exception of DJ LeMahieu. The Yankees got creative to make the budget friendly changes they were looking for and they just made another one. Question now is....will it pan out?

I shop on a budget all the time, but I am glad my name isn't Brian Cashman and I don't have to do it for Yankee brass. His creativity is next level. I shop generic store brands at the grocery store and he shops the low-risk high reward or "nobody wants but we can fix" ballplayers. He's crafty, and he just did it again by signing Kyle Barraclough to a minor league deal.

We wondered if the Yankees would look for another reliever after they traded Adam Ottavino to the Red Sox. Barraclough has an invite to Spring Training and we will see if he can pitch his way back to a major league job. 

Barraclough doesn't look so exciting on paper, but that's where the bargain comes in. He was a hard throwing right hander who overcame some control problems earlier in his career as a Marlin earlier in his career and pitched to a 2.87 ERA between 2015-2017. The wheels fell off after that and pitched to a 5.61 ERA in 2019 where he split time between the Nationals and the Giants. After the Giants cut ties with him he signed with the Padres on a minor league deal last season but elected free agency before the season started and no one else picked him up.

So that's why he's a bargain deal for us. No one else wanted him and Cashman got the deal. Clearly the Yankees pitching staff thinks they can fix him and if it works out then it's a brilliant move and we will all call Cashman a genius (again) later. 

At this point, I'm just glad Ottavino is gone and if it doesn't work out, the Yankees can just stash him down in the minors. 

Random thought, his last name makes me think of a BEAR CLAW donut and I am suddenly hungry. At any rate....welcome to the Bronx, Barraclough!

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

WHY I LOVE LUKE VOIT

Source: New York Post

I have to say, Luke Voit has incredible passion for the game of baseball, more than the average major league baseball player. He exudes excitement. He demonstrates why he loves the game in his body language and poise. He is genuine. I just love this guy. And he continues to show why his passion can help drive this Yankee team to success in 2021.

"Luke Voit is among the players already working out at the Yankees’ complex in Tampa, but it’s the players who are due to show up later this month who have the first baseman especially excited about the upcoming season," reported the New York Post. You had me at hello. Clearly, this guy wants to play and does not take for granted his gift without pushing himself to be better than he was last season. 

Source: Sports Illustrated

Not only does he push himself but he inspires his teammates to be their best and he is excited about the possibility of dominating the AL East this season. "We got The Machine back, so life is good,’’ Voit said of DJ LeMahieu staying in The Bronx after testing free agency. “He’s a great teammate. A great leader. … I hope he’s in New York the rest of his career. He’s the best hitter in baseball and a table setter for us,” reported the Post. 

Voit has been very vocal about signing LeMahieu and getting starting pitching to elevate the team where it needs to be in order to be dominant. According to the Post, "Voit faced Taillon when he was with the Cardinals and (Jameson) Taillon was in Pittsburgh." And this past history and excitement is getting him pumped for the possibilities the Yankees have ahead them this season.

Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette

"He’s a big dude and throws 95-96 [mph] and I’m anxious to see what he looks like in spring training,’’ Voit said. “And Kluber’s got two Cy Young [awards], so you hope you get what you used to get. We just have to stay away from the injury bug,” reported the Post.

Looking forward to seeing Luke Voit again in pinstripes. His passion, his excitement and exuberance for this game is contagious. And the Yankees need this kind of energy to ignite their 2021 season. I just love this guy and look forward to his contribution to this year's team. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof