A few notes from the AL East:
- With the offseason now underway for the Yankees, general manager Brian Cashman discussed several topics of interest in an interview with Mike Francesa of WFAN earlier this week. As free agency and trade season approach, the Yankees are expected to be among the majors’ most active teams in the starting pitching market – especially considering left-handers J.A. Happ and CC Sabathia are without contracts. Indeed, Cashman revealed: “We’re excited about adding to our rotation. It’s going to be a focus point for us, and there’s going to be a lot of competition, regardless of the available players out there. We need to continue to reinforce that rotation.” As for Happ and Sabathia, Cashman declared that “they’re going to get a lot of consideration, not just from us but from a lot of people.” The 36-year-old Happ, whom New York acquired from Toronto in July, fit in well with the Yankees during the regular season and is now fresh off his fourth straight strong campaign. He seems like a shoo-in to land a multiyear deal, whereas Sabathia, 38, may have to settle for his second consecutive one-year pact. A Yankee since 2009, Sabathia re-signed with the team for $10MM last offseason and then continued his late-career renaissance during the 2018 campaign.
- Although the Orioles lost out on the Mesa brothers, two highly touted outfield prospects who chose the Marlins over the O’s on Saturday, Baltimore’s still “hopeful” about signing young right-hander Sandy Gaston, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com writes. Even after their Saturday signings, the Marlins may still try for Gaston – who, like the Mesas, hails from Cuba – but the Orioles could easily outbid them (or anyone else) at this point.
- Even though he has never managed at any level, Rays coach Rocco Baldelli has interviewed with five skipper-needy teams in recent weeks. Despite his inexperience, it’s no surprise the 37-year-old has drawn serious interest from teams seeking a manager, argues the Tampa Bay Times’ Marc Topkin, who notes Baldelli packages youth, intelligence, communication skills and a knowledge of analytics. That’s a coveted blend in the modern game, and as Topkin points out, it doesn’t hurt that a.) Baldelli comes with front office/scouting experience and b.) is part of a club that just wrapped up a successful season under his boss, manager Kevin Cash. The Cash-led Rays plan to return the same coaching staff in 2019, Topkin reports, though they may have to replace Baldelli.
The Os are a dumpster fire. They didn’t put any effort into competing for the Mesa brothers and they probably won’t sign Gaston. Duquette screwed the pooch when he forked over 750k international money for a nobody prospect from philly.
No effort? Cmon, bro it’s not their fault that Miami worked their heads off to get them. Plus, you never know with international players, many under the radar signees become studs. (Acuna)
Add José Ramirez to that list
I agree that they’re a mess… but the money sent to Philly had no bearing on it. The Mesa brothers got $5 million and $1 million (reported). So the Orioles still had enough money after the trade with Philly. What they offered is the questions.
Jeter sold the two mesas a dream in Miami and had the cash to match anything we did. When Jeter made the moves to get the money it was over for us. Now if we F up Gaston that’s another story. He should be ours no matter what.
The Orioles have a lot of young OF prospects including Diaz who in many scouts opinions is better than any of the two Mesa brothers. Signing Gastón would be a very good thing and might end up being a front line starter or an excellent closer.
And in a surprise move,Miami trades the Mesa brothers to The Yankees!
Miami traded Stanton to the Yankees to save the money. Get over it
All the deal in philly did is determine how much cash Miami was going to trade for. That saved them from having to deal for another 750K dollars or so. They were determined to have the highest number and they made it happen. Dumb deal for us especially considering the timing but I don’t believe it would’ve changed the outcome in this situation other than costing Miami something else.
For the good of baseball, instead of wanting to speed up the games, the commissioner should encourage Orioles & Mets ownership to sell.
I’m going to encourage you to pick one team to root for or at least one team to represent on your profile.
Thanks but no thanks.
It doesn’t work like that in my world. If you can’t understand that, oh well.
Peace out!
You can’t be a Yankees and Red Sox fan… you lose all credibility trying to get people to believe that
JBig, lol
He has identity issues, trust me, oh, all he does is Bash posters, especially me, don’t waste your time.
Amen Bheath!
He has no credibility,
Peace my friend
Omg, are you bashing your own team, what a hypocrate!
As long as you keep harassing
me, I won’t let you get away with it!
For you MYR
Edited just for you
HYPOCRITE
Get,
Means the same thing,
Thank You
I didn’t think there was crying in baseball
to me,
spelling fixed hypocrite
my bad
They’ll get gaston over MIA if they have any interest… they have over $6MM left and the Marlins have less than $1MM (if any)
They’ll get Gaston
Ok, I’m excited about the mention of Happ and have been waiting to hear his name pop up.
On the other hand, I will keep my opinions regarding
CC to myself!!
Don’t be so down on CC
Considering his age and role, I’d say that Sabathia was actually pretty decent. As a back of the rotation piece, he’s still useful.
As a Sox fan, I agree. The problem is cost and expectations. If you expect Cy C.C. pitching his weight in innings, you’re not being realistic. If however you’re looking for a number 5 who will give you 150 innings and his cost is reasonable for a number 5, grab him and say thank you.
CC isn’t the ace of old but you could do a lot worse for a back end starter who is crafty and who you know can handle NYC.
It would be cool to see BOTH CC and Bart on the same pitching staff!
lololol. that, I would enjoy
MYS and EY9, if you’re talking about Colon and C.C., I believe they were both on the Yankees opening day roster in 2011 or 12.
Dewey, How is it going?
Yes, I forgot that
tid bid, thank you,
good memory!
Happ just turned 36. J.A. Hapless in the playoffs. You’re excited for him, ready to throw CC under the bus? Lol Eileen.
———————————————————–
They both failed this post-season:
CC threw 3 innings giving up 3 runs (9.16 ERA)
Happ threw 2 innings, giving up 5 runs (22.50 ERA)
———————————————–
Happ has 21.1 career- playoff innings 5.48 ERA
CC has 129.1 career-playoff innings 4.31 ERA
Happ will likely command a multi year deal, CC, one. I’m excited too… for the return of CC!!!
X. CC was terrible in 3 play off starts, if my number is correct. 1 for last year.
He can’t make it through the 5th. The next inning of whatever he is in, he always gives the runs back the Yanks just scored. He gets angry when someone bunts, I wonder why, lol, omg.
Oh yeah, showing no class. blaming the ump for his loss.
He pitches like he was thrown
under a bus!!
2017 ALCS game 7: CC Had 65 pitches, 1ER (homer) Girardi took him out after 3.1 IP, and subsequent reliever (Kahnle) gave up 3 ER.
They ended up losing 4-0.
CC’s ERA for that game was 2.37. Using power of hindsight, UNLIKE this yr, Girardi should have prob left CC (common Girardi complaint last year, by spoiled fans)
He’d be the 5th starter.. And great leader. still trust him over Happ to start a game-7
Wait, you said you’d keep your opinions of CC to yourself. That lasted about two minutes.
CC is fine as a backend starter for Yankees. Corbin over Happ for youth. Yankees got payroll. When CC retires, Monty should be fully healthy to take over.
I thought you were gonna keep your opinions about CC to yourself?
Lol
I happen to agree with you partially
LOL.
Well Lester,
Shoot me for defending
myself!
Idiot
Lolol dewey
Billy, lol, that was pre!cious
Right out of Happ’s 11 playoff games came almost a decade ago. Those stats mean literally nothing
Exactly. Untested and unproven. He had a chance this year.. wet the bed. Give me CC. Just don’t them to commit multi-year to Happ at 36, but seems inevitable with whatever team he signs with. Still a Great guy!
Happ had an ERA of 3.65 and WHIP of 1.13 over 177 innings this season while playing in the AL East. But yeah, that small sample of playoff innings – he’s the worst.
Same mentality would have removed Rivera as closer in ‘98 when he “wet the bed” in his first full year as closer in ‘97 by giving up the HR to Alomar in game 4.
It didn’t help Daniel Murphy a few years back when he set the world on fire, and it won’t hurt Happ. I think baseball executives will recognize it for what it is – a small sample.
Eileen I agree. I love CC but I’m fine with not bringing him back at this point.
I rather in fact let him go and hopefully we sign Corbin, Kikuchi, and Happ to go with Severino, and Tanaka. If we need another arm we have Sheffield, King, Losaiga, Chance Adams, and Jordan Montgomery (upon his return off DL) all waiting in the wings.
Again…..
The Yankees need to develop their own young pitchers.
Due to injuries it takes at least 8 starters to get through a season. If you’re going to pay 5 pitchers over $10mm a year – many of them over 35 years-old – then you’d better have at least 3-4 pitchers in the high minors that can come up to start a game, or replace an injured pitcher in the rotation.
Yankee fans have a sensational SS. Because he can’t play SS for half a season (he can still DH and play some 1B) you want to discard him and give an inferior SS with an attitude a long term contract for over $30mm per. You want to give Harper even more money to replace Hicks in CF, when Harper can’t even play corner OF. And now you want to pay free agent salaries to 3-4 starting pitchers because the organization can’t develop any. The bullpen – Chapman, and Betances are paid very well. Robertson and Britton are free agents and want raises. Open items – Sanchez can’t catch, Bird is hanging on by his fingernails, the league adjusted to Torres…will he adjust back?
You all must think the Steinbrenner’s can print money. They are paying people to draft, sign, and develop players. At the major league level they’re paying a manager and a coaching staff to make players better. Publicity aside, their results are sub-standard.
Hmmm..
-“The Yankees need to develop their own young pitchers”.
Clap back- Severino, Montgomery, Bets, Green and in the minors German, King, Loisaiga, Sheffield, King and Adams all at AAA or mlb experience.
-“If you’re going to pay 5 pitchers over $10mm a year – many of them over 35 years-old”.
Clap back-Sabathia and Happ are the only pitchers on the 2018 roster that were over 35 and the Yanks brought each in for short-term purposes. I doubt the Yanks will extend more than a 1 year deal to CC or a 2 year deal to Happ. As you mentioned, you need at least 8 starters to last thru a season. They can have an entire AAA staff poised to step in with Sheff, German, Loisaiga, King and Adams.
-” You want to give Harper even more money to replace Hicks in CF, when Harper can’t even play corner OF”.
Clap back-Who says Harper would replace Hicks? If the Yanks acquired him, he would most definitely be our starting LF. And honestly, he makes much more sense than signing Manny since we only have Hicks and Gardner as lefties under contract with Didi on the DL.
-“The bullpen – Chapman, and Betances are paid very well. Robertson and Britton are free agents and want raises”.
Clap back- Chapman is indeed paid well. However, Bets is still in his arbitration years (2019 being his last). He earned $5 mil last year and when you consider his collective WAR since 2016 he ranks 5th behind guys like Jansen, Chapman and Kimbrel, and that’s including the horrible 2017 2nd half. He is a steal and will be so even if he win his arbitration case (if it goes that far).
-“Sanchez can’t catch,
Clap back-Sanchez sucked at blocking pitches in the dirt but grades well in several other areas of catching. He certainly needs to improve but deserves a chance to redeen himself in 2019 as the starter.
-“Bird has pretty much lost his job to Voit who should be the favorite going into ST. Bird will most likely start off at AAA and has to earn his way back into the majors, with the Yankees or elsewhere, However, doesn’t make sense to trade him now unless someone is willing to overlook his 2018 warts and overpay which won’t happen because 1b are abundant.
-” the league adjusted to Torres…will he adjust back?”.
Clap back. Torres had a poor June, missed most of July and came back strong for August before having a poor September. I don’t know if it’s failure to adjust or fatigue stemming from playing almost 100 more games than he did in 2017. Regardless, he posted a OPS of .773 or better every month except September. For a 20 year old he certainly has a lot to learn but so do most rookies.
-“You all must think the Steinbrenner’s can print money”.
Clap back-They kind of do, at least from a sports business perspective. But the Yanks have restrained from major spending (Stanton acquisition withstanding) over the last 2 years. In 2018 the Yanks opening day payroll was about $165 mil. 9 other teams spent more and only 3 (Red Sox, Dodgers and Astros) made it to Division play. Not bad. Yanks also have about $45-$50 mil (factoring expired contracts of mid-season trade acquisitions) coming off the books and our likely starting 1B, 2B, 3B, C, RF and CF are all still in their 6 years of control, with most not even in their arbitration years yet. Didi and Stanton are the only ones earning $10 mil or more.
-“Publicity aside, their results are sub-standard”.
Clap back-Except for the Ellsbury contract the Yanks have restrained from long term commitments for little return. Say what you want about Stanton but in a “bad season” he still had a WAR of 4 and had done a fine job of developing their own or acquiring via trade a 100 win team and STILL had close to 80 xbh. Yanks have a top 10-12 (considering all the recent graduates) farm with many in the lower levels moving up AND are under the lux tax level poised to add FA if desired. Yanks have done a fine job overall imo. Not perfect at all., but they are at a great place going into the off-season.
That last paragraph (yikes) was awkwardly written. I meant…
Clap back-Except for the Ellsbury contract the Yanks have restrained from long term commitments for little return. Say what you want about Stanton but in a “bad season” he still had a WAR of 4 and STILL had close to 80 xbh.
Yanks have done a fine job of developing their own players or acquiring them via trade. Cashman produced a 100 win team, developed a top 10-12 farm (slide back from top 3 considering all the recent graduates) and have many interesting prospects in the lower levels moving up AND are under the lux tax level poised to add FA if desired. Yanks have done a fine job overall imo. Not perfect at all., but they are at a great place going into the off-season.
Good for you! At least someone responded without snark…
” Severino, Montgomery, Bets, Green and in the minors German, King, Loisaiga, Sheffield, King and Adams all at AAA or mlb experience.”
So they developed 3-4 pitchers in 3-4 years. The pitchers you say are so good in AAA were called up in 2018, failed, and were sent back down. The had to trade prospects for Lynn, Happ, and Britton.
Got to do better. My main point – teams have to develop young, cheap players – especially pitchers – to offset large veteran salaries. The Yankees have to trade their prospects for questionable vets. They traded away 3 prospects for Sonny Gray and 2-3 more for Brandon Drury….then they traded/will trade those guys for short term help. Now they’re stuck giving out large FA contracts, and what are the chances all pan out?
“If the Yanks acquired him [Harper}, he would most definitely be our starting LF.”
Why? Stanton got better in LF as the season went along. I don’t see where Harper is a better OF. OK, fine – you want to DH one. Two problems – 1) like most teams the Yankees use the DH to rehap injured players and give a day or two off for tired players. Now those guys will not play; 2) What happens in interleague games and the WS if they make it?
“The bullpen”
They got worn out last year. Chapman and Bets are fine….if they stay healthy. Got to pay a lot to resign Robertson and Britton or replace them…..then yet again, they can trade away yet more prospects.
“Sanchez, Bird, Voit, Torres”
Sanchez has had problems with WP’s and PB’s for years. When does it get under control? And how many times I saw him give one sign, and the pitcher threw a pitch he did not expect. Happened with multiple pitchers. Don’t remember that happening with Romine catching. He can’t seem to keep track of which pitch he called.
OK, Voit is terrific and can’t miss. Like Bird was 2 years ago.
Torres slowed down long before September. And like Machado and Sanchez he was in the field daydreaming – losing track of outs and making boneheaded plays. MLB is not a fantasy league. You play the entire game or the other team takes advantage and your team loses winnable games. Torres is 21. Am sure in time he’ll adjust. Would not be surprised to see him sent down at some point. Can be a very good 2B, but not at all impressed with his SS play (Cashman brought in Hechavarria)…but again, he’s very young.
“Payroll.”
Can see the Steinbrenner’s going over the cap if it means a chance of a Championship. But unlike the owners of the other free spending teams you cite, they have no outside business that generates income. And the Yankee no longer support George and his family – they support his family and their families. Be careful spending other peoples money.
“The scouting, development, and coaching people”
They don’t suck. They’ve done a nice job. Over publicized for the budget they have to work with (a lot like the Nationals in that regard).
Look at what the same group of people have done with much less money for the Astros, Braves, Brewers, Indians, Cardinals, Rays, (and soon) the Royals….among others.
Last summer I made the comment that if they get very good pitching or a lot of HR’s that day, the Yankees usually win. I got made fun of here. Up until the analytic revolution there was a saying about superior pitchers – “he wins even when he doesn’t have his good stuff”. Same goes for winning teams. When a team plays smart, strong fundamental baseball on days when the players are off, what should be losses become wins. I seldom see that from the Yankees since Jeter retired.
“Got to do better. My main point – teams have to develop young, cheap players – especially pitchers – to offset large veteran salaries”
Aside from Stanton, Tanaka, Chapman and Ellsbury the Yankees DON’T have a bunch of vets on long contracts. And to that point, all have been very productive outside of Ellsbury.
Yanks HAVE done a great job of “developing young cheap players”. Sanchez, Bird, Torres, Andujar, Judge, Severino, Montgomery, Green and Holder all debuted with the Yanks and provided a combined for about 25 WAR last year. They wisely bought low on Didi, Hicks and Voit via trades using prospects that haven’t been missed at all (JR Murphy, Chason Shreve, Gio Gallegos and Shane Green). Those 3 accounted for about 12 WAR this year. Aside from the prospects traded for Drury, Cashman has made shrewd moves and the Yanks are poised to entertain a number of roster building scenarios this winter.
“Look at what the same group of people have done with much less money for the Astros, Braves, Brewers, Indians, Cardinals, Rays, (and soon) the Royals….among others”.
You simply can not compare those teams with the likes of big market teams with high expectations year to year.
Last 8 seasons-
Astros- 4 years of 70 wins or less, 2 in the 80s and two outstanding 100 win seasons, Because of habitual suckage they were able to draft Bregman, Correa and Springer in the first 11 selections including
Braves-A 5 year rebuild culminating in a 90 win season in a very weak NL East.
Brewers-6 consecutive sub 90 win seasons up until 2018.
I won’t bother to delve into the others but they are mostly small market teams that have tanked for years, traded away good players and had high top 10 draft positions, The Yanks on the other hand have had 5 90+ win seasons and 4 mediocre seasons above .500. They aren’t allowed to have prolong rebuilds. Yet, Cashman did rebuild over 1 season and did so while still fielding a competitive above ,500 team.
I understand the “why” of tanking seasons but the Yanks aren’t allowed to so to their fanbase. Cashman has done a fantastic job and he did it the right way, keeping the right prospects and trading away the others, especially those that were going to be exposed to the rule 5 draft.
Absolutely, that would be awesome, of course I was thinking along those lines.
I would rather give the extra 8- 10 million towards someone else.
I said I was going to keep my opinions about CC to myself, but I see I will have to defend everything I post on here, but not with you Billy.
Thanks for your good feedback!
Billy,
I love him too. always did, but lately, he has been a disappoint in times of need, but, the time for him is now to go!
Cashman really has his work cut out for himself this off season, just hope he surprises us with quality pitchers, not bandaids, because Rothschild
oy veh, cannot cure anything, lol.
Yeah, we have lots of youth in the wings, it’s great and exciting, wish Spring Training
was around the corner.
Thanks for your feedback.
“I will keep my opinions regarding
CC to myself!!”
–Promises, promises…..
Hey Lester Basher,
You should read my posts b4
you open your big mouth!!
Lester, it is posters like you
that make me and anyone else break their promises!
Learn though in the future to read what a person says b4 you post in haste!
She’s truly psycho
Rocco will be a great manager if he’s hired
One of the great baseball names of all time…
Almost as good as Rocky Colavito
As much as I like CC and always thankful for what he’s done for the Yankees, the Yankees need go with a younger and healthier staff. Happ was great during the season, and he can have an even better year next year. The Yankees are now set to put the players back on the field after holding back to get under the salary cap. The real question is Steinbrenner really going after the free agents or he’s just blowing smoke.?
I have no doubt that Hal will do what he can to put a winner out there so I think the Yanks will be involved in many fronts such as free agents, trades, and international market as well.
Billy,
They will have a field day, excuse the pun, shopping as you said. Can’t wait for Hot Stove
Yanks cleaned up on the international players last year, now Cashman will sign 2 top pitchers for next season. I think Cashman will make a strong offer to both Corbin and Happ, and sign 2 top relief pitchers. Signing Marwin Gonzalez would solve their short term position players problem.,and I can see him signing another lefty bat.
I have no doubt that the Yankees will have an ultra high quality Starter rotation by Spring Training.
Another need is a LH hitting IF (Because OF seems set). I assume that Gleyber Torres can play either 2B or SS in order to allow them to acquire a SS or 2B to replace Didi Gregorius…. who may be able to DH.
This is likely unpopular with Yankee fans: The Yankees need to trade Gary Sanchez for a great return. Although he came up with big hits, I thought his poor defense still cost the Yankees in the post season two years in a row. I would be surprised if Sonny Gray and Greg Bird are Yankees next year.
I agree with most of what you said…
The 2018 Gary Sanchez isn’t going to bring back a “great return”. If the Yanks put Sanchez on the trade market do you really think the other teams would be clueless to the :”why”? The same reason MANY teams would be interested in buying low on Sanchez should be the same reason the Yankees should want to keep him. Also, Sanchez had an error-free ALCS vs Boston. I’m clueless as to how you feel his defense cost us the series, the one in which we were swept and outscored by a collective -13.
Yanks lost because we have an offensive team that usually does 3 things consistently….hit homeruns, draw a walk or strike out. Unfortunately, we didn’t hit many hrs and left too many runners on base. Our pitching was pretty good for the most part, aside from Game 3 where they gave up 16 runs. In the WC and ALCS the Yanks only allowed a total of 13 runs in the other 4 games. That’s not bad.
CC..his game..the most important game was good too? You got to be kidding me
garry,
gray is being shopped, they are not trading Sanchez, he is going to a full year to redeem himself.
Bird and Voight will fight for 1st base in STrain.
A successful offseason for the yanks would be to sign Corbin, re-sign one of Happ or Sabathia, trade for JT Realmuto, bring in two good bullpen arms and last but not least, stay away from giving Harper or Machado a massive deal.
Stretch, you sound very reasonable. I like your thoughts on what they should do.
Love the Realmuto idea…
Re-sign-Happ (2/$40 mil) , Robertson (3/$30 mil) , Walker (1/$8 mil), Adeiny Hechavarria (1 year deal) and possibly CC (1/$10 mil).
Decline Gardner’s option and try to bring him back on a smaller 2 year deal (2/$18) as the 4th OF.
Go strong after Corbin (5/$125 ) and Harper (if he can be had on something around 8/$250). Kick tires on Charlie Morton and Dallas Keuchel.
Stretch,
Now all that is a Stretch, lol
hugs
Hoping Happ and Robertson get resigned, Corbin and possibly a third SP get signed
I didn’t think there was crying in baseball
I’m cool with CC for another year… as long as it’s understood that one of his main tasks is to teach Patrick Corbin the Pettite cutter.
CC.. The guy Yankees rely on to pitch the game deciding playoff game…real smart..resign him and see the same results
For three years we heard how important to get under the salary cap instead of signing new free agents, and Yankee fans said, ok…we’ll wait….and now our worst fears there is no desire to win. The kids are the complete opposite of the Boss.. They might as well move to mid western town as there is no desire to put another Championship but a ownership that leeches off the fans.