Rumor has it that the Yankees have dealt with a few bites of the injury bug this year. Here’s the latest on the health front …
- It’ll be a big day for the Yanks on Friday. Two key righties — Luis Severino and Dellin Betances — will each take the ball for the club’s Trenton affiliate. Neither has pitched in the big leagues yet this year, but both could be key late-season additions for the AL East champions-to-be. It’s still anyone’s guess what these hurlers will be able to contribute.
- Third baseman Miguel Andujar has been undergoing physical therapy since his season-ending shoulder surgery back in May and will begin participating in full baseball activities next week (Twitter link via Laura Albanese of the New York Daily News). Andujar expects to be at 100 percent come Spring Training next season. The talented 24-year-old figures to play a major role in the club’s near-future plans, though he’ll be returning to a different situation than the one he left.
- Of more immediate concern at the hot corner is Gio Urshela, who has been out with a groin injury. He’s likely to jump right back into the lineup after the ten-day minimum, skipper Aaron Boone indicated to reporters including James Wagner of the New York Times (Twitter link). The 27-year-old Urshela has outdone Andujar, slashing .331/.370/.555 with 18 long balls in 414 plate appearances.
- And then there’s long-lost slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who’s still nursing a knee injury. While the 29-year-old’s anticipated output has improbably been replaced by a rotating cast of unlikely heroes, it’d still be nice to get him back for the postseason. Stanton has finally picked up some “momentum,” per Boone (via Lindsey Adler of The Athletic, on Twitter). The outfielder/DH is slated to face live pitching at the club’s Florida facility. His timeline remains unclear, but it seems there’s finally some light at the end of the tunnel.
Yanks should take it slow with Urshela. Let him take as much time to come back but not too much so that he’s rusty at the plate.
They should use the winter to let Andujar get reps at different positions. I think the 3B job should belong to Urshela going forward. Having Andujar get reps in the corner OF spots and 1B makes sense.
You are on crack. This guy cannot field atthe Major League level. He would look like he is running on a waterbed in the outfield
Get him healthy and trade him to a AL West team
@sheff86
Can I ask you an honest question? Have you ever seen him play the OF? I don’t think I have. Wondering if he can acclimate himself to the OF isn’t an absurd question and as long as the experiment isn’t taking place during the regular season, what harm is there to have him practice over the winter and ST?
He’s not blazing fast but he’s also not a lumbering clod on the bases.
LOL, southbeachhillbilly, Rookie of the Year Runner Up in the outfield. That’s a good one.
@Melchez
Other than most of your posts I don’t see anything funny. People confuse not being good at one position for not being athletic at all. He’s not a slow plodding big guy.. It’s two different positions and I don’t see any harm with him getting reps in winter ball, reporting to the Tampa facility early or spring training. If he can do it we shall see. If not then we know it’s not an option. I think that’s logical thinking.
His body type doesn’t work in the outfield.
Children
please!
heck, ryan braun moved from 3rd base to left field after his rookie season, did alright for himself
Instead of speculating about what the Yankees plans are with Andujar let’s just wait and see what the organization decides. We can all sit back and suggest this and that, but in the end we’re just fans who don’t decide these things.
@emac22
Body type? He’s a 24 year old athlete who’s listed at 6 ft and 210 lbs.
Kyle Schwarber is 6ft 235
Alex Gordon is 6’1 and 235
Marcell Ozuna is 6’1 and 225
I’m not trying to come off arrogant but I wonder what peoples thought process is?
-His arm is excellent, and that hasn’t been a problem at all. He’s athletic enough that he should have decent range. It’s his instincts and reactions that appear to be the problem. He’s simply not getting to enough balls hit in his direction.
What are his much talked about decencies at 3B? His reaction and his footwork. 3B position is the closest to the batter. Reaction time needs to be much, much quicker at 3B than in LF. Throws need to be much quicker to 2B to start double plays and you need a rocket of an arm to nab guys at 1B. You just have to do way more at 3B and SS than almost any other position. He has a rocket of an arm but I’m not sure which shoulder he had surgery on. However, where do most teams put guys with weak arms? LF.
Moving to LF he has more time to react to a batted ball. Part of what makes a capable LF is the ability to run good routes, react to the bat off the ball and judging when to dive for a ball or when to let it bounce in front of you thus limiting the hitter from advancing to the next base. His reaction time doesn’t need to be as quick when receiving the ball from the distance between home and 3B compared to home and LF. A lot of that can be mitigated by knowing where to stand on the OF.
My contention is that with some training and repetition Andujar MIGHT be able to be at least an average LF. We don’t need him to be a gold glove at that position.
No one hear can claim with any certainty whether or not he can make the same transition as Gordon, Braun or Bautista. Yanks didn’t have as much of a reason to consider LF until Gio showed up and proved his bat could be as good as his glove. Try him in LF and 1B. Absolutely no hard to try it and if he can be even slightly below average he would still be a hot commodity if his bat stays strong after the surgery and re-acclimation to live pitching.
Don’t think the Yankees can wait until the 2020 regular season or even late in Spring Training 2020 to possibly trade Andujar for starting pitching help.
Teams will come calling and with the log jam at DH, unless there is a major injury in the Spring, he’ll be gone by the time the Yankees play their first regular season game.
By the way, I do agree that it is possible he could play the outfield and why not try him there but unfortunately, I don’t think he’ll get the chance with the Yankees.
The Yankees won’t trade Andujar while his value is at its lowest point. In fact, they won’t be trading him at all. Come on, man.
Agreed on trying #41 in the outfield in Spring Training. With Cashman seeing and reaping the benefits of plus defenders at 3rd I’m Gio and DJ, giving Andujar all those February and March reps in LF and RF make sense. Judge is injury prone, same for Hicks. And Gardner is a year by year proposition at this stage. Let’s play Miggy at a position where his defense doesn’t cost him playing time.
@rocky7
If the Yanks can get a pitcher they really want with Andujar being a major piece then ok but they should not trade low on this guy. There are plenty of bat first poor glove guys that thrive in the NL. This idea that some offer that he is a finished product beyond improvement and completely relegated to being a full-time DH is silly.
Too premature to assume Andujar cannot acclimate himself in the OF. Alex Gordon came up playing third base with stone hands. Probably screw him up trying to improve himself at the hot corner. The move to the outfield helped his hitting and ultimately became a gold glover.
If Andujar is with the Yankees next year he will be a backup 3B/DH. The Yankees are already set when it comes to 1B and corner OF
@Ronk325
Who exactly are we penciling in as a starter in LF? I don’t think they’re going to hand the job over to Tauchman and I don’t think they’re going to give Frazier nor Andujar away. I think Frazier has a legit shot to win the job with Tauchman or Gardner or both as back ups.
I wouldn’t call it “handing the job over to Tauchman” because he’s been very good this year. I could also see Gardner back on a 1 year deal and even Stanton getting some work in LF. As for Frazier I still believe he gets traded this offseason. Andujar if he’s not traded himself will be a DH and occasionally play 3B when Urshella gets the day off
Andujar will not be the backup anything. likely he starts at DH.
They’re not carrying a 24 year old DH, you can forget that nonsense.
If you can keep only one from Andujar and Encarnacion for 2020, as a DH and extra bat, who would you choose?
Sanchez should be the full time DH. He is the definition of a defensive liability!!!
+Baseball dude
0 DRS this year and a 6 DRS last year. Passed balls are way down compared to last year too. Surprised people still believe in the knee jerk reaction headlines from a year ago
They don’t have the bench to have him as a back-up with Gio starting, DJ moving all around the diamond, Wade and Estrada filling potential backup roles.
He’s potentially too valuable a bat to relegate him to back-up status.
Idiot
First base and maybe right field but he’s not an outfielder.
What do you do with DJ? If he performs next year like he had this year (MVP). He’s going to want a FT position and a big raise.
I’m not sold on Gio. This reminds me when we got Scott Brosius and we trade away a young Mike Lowell. Brosius cannot hit in Oakland he had one great year and then he came back down to earth I think if we trade Miggy I think we should let DJ take over third-base not Gio
They are actually better without Stanton. His salary probably dictates they would welcome him back, but he’s been an addition by subtraction all season.
No they aren’t. The Yankees are 7-2 with him in the lineup. Stanton is still a great player and despite his lack of plate discipline, he’s an MVP level hitter.
He’s a rally killer and a strikeout machine. If he’s not hitting homers, he adds nothing. He’s also an awful outfielder and a lousy baserunner.
Say what you want about his strikeouts and baserunning but Stanton is a good defensive outfielder. He might not be a gold glover but he can hold his own
lol
@Bernie’s Dander
I disagree. But I get it, he strikes out a lot. However, he’s a guy, when healthy will give you 30-50 homers and a decent slash of .270/.360. To say he’s an overall net loss is a joke. And he will likely be a DH not because he’s bad but because it’s his natural position currently behind held by Judge. But Stanton has always been about average to slightly below defensively. Who’s a better hitting player among all of our OF/DH? Judge and that’s about it. Let’s not forget he was worth 4 WAR back in 2018 and 7.3 in his 2017 MVP year. There are likely about 10 guys that have combined for more WAR than him between 2017-2018.
Stanton is going to pull an oblique or something taking BP.
Do people forget Stanton won an mvp 2 years ago? They rather have maybin out there ? Just lol.
As for andujar his future might be as a 1b/Dh type because hes a butcher in the infield . Hes worse at 3rd base than Frazier is in the outfield. Maybe the yanks can hide andujar in right field at yankee stadium with it being the smallest right field in the league .
Personally I’d hang onto andujar through next season to see if gio can repeat and to rebuild some if andujar’s trade value. If he comes off the bench he still should be able to get around 400 at bats in 2020 especially if Didi walks in the offseason.
Lastly I’m not the biggest andujar fan or didi fan for that matter because of their anaemic walk totals
@robluca21
Andujar reminds me of a right handed Cano. Cano didn’t walk much in the beggining either but it improved from being around a 3% walk rate to about 8-9%. I see him as a consistent .285/.350 guy with 40+ doubles and about 25-35 homers annually. For someone like that you find a spot for him until something comes along good enough to move him. I think any trade partners would want to see him perform for a few months to make sure he’s healed. .
Jesus. That assessment of Andujar is like the assessment someone had on Chris Shaw before. You see him as a 285/350 type player? With 25-35 hr and 40+ doubles?? Cano never struck out as much a Andujar so looking at walk rates isn’t a telling stat on its own. I get you are a fan but man throwing around those predictions like it’s something to be expected is ridiculous. Your predictions on Stanton are just as insane. Best case scenario they do that but it shouldnt be expected.
You’re high if you think his rookie season is his ceiling.
What’s wrong with you people who think you can project absolutes and why couldn’t you comprehend the post you were responding to?
Small smile size of Andujar aside..
Cano’s career walk/k rate. = 6.5 % | 12.6 %
Andujar’s career walk/k rate. = 4.1 %| 16.3 %
Do I see him as a .285/.350 hitter with 25-30 homered?
2019= .297/.328 with 27 homers.
What am I missing? I remember ppl saying Cano wouldn’t improve on his BOP but he did. 5 sessions with an OBP off at least.360.
Pardon typos.
@ColossusOfClout
What in the world does his age matter? What makes a good DH? The ability to hit at a high level. This asinine idea that a DH MUST be an older hitter too old to play elsewhere is stupid. If Mike Trout was a horrible defender but you could get his production as a full-time DH would ANYONE have a problem with that? Now obviously, Trout is super elite but if a player could give you something like a .295/.330/.500 with 25-30 homers then they’ll take it no matter what position.
I truly think that fantasy league play and advance metrics (which I buy into but don’t 100% agree with) have mitigated the value of some players.. You think the Marlin’s wouldn’t love to have Andujar’s bat in the lineup?
Comparing Canos career rates for walks and Ks to Andujars one season is nonsense. I’m not saying he isn’t a great hitter but those predictions seem overly generous. I think some of you even think that because I see the OBP you’re predicting going down a bit (said 350 now 330) and the homer range going down too.
Time will tell if he’s the next cano but maybe temper expectations. Just saying he will cut done on the strikeouts and up the walks doesn’t mean either will happen especially if he wants to work on staying at third and improving his defense.
Stanton is like a lot of power guys. It looks fantastic, it’s entertaining, the totality of the offensive numbers looks amazing at the end of the season, but game to game, situation to situation, he isn’t particularly clutch and his power numbers aren’t the deciding factor of games one might think they are. If the Yankees keep him I’m cool with it. If they flip him I’m cool with it. Indifferent to Stanton. I understand his numbers are gaudy but he does feel replaceable.
Didi is another guy that does great work but weirdly feels dispensable. I know he missed a huge chunk of the season and Didi’s numbers are pretty good, for his playing time, but I also often forget he’s in his fifth full season as a Yankee starter, which says something about his presence and contributions. Whenever I see him play it seems like he does really great work with his glove and he’s at least an average hitter- he got a grand slam recently and has had a few more clutch RBI moments- but analysts can’t seem to agree on what his value is to the league or to the Yankees. His WAR isn’t that great either.
I’ve read that Cashman absolutely loves Gregorious and wants him to stick around for a long time and views him as a Jeter-esque long term presence in the line up. He’s already making $11.5M this season, which isn’t cheap by any standard in the game and turns 30 next season. I assume he will get a 3-6 year deal for $15-20M AAV, putting him at about 4 years/$70M w a buyout and an option. He’d be worth that in this market., even if his fancy glove work and the protection the line up currently affords him hides his weaknesses and he might not be worth a very long term investment once the years start adding up. I’m not sure what to believe; analytics or my own two eyes.
I’m a fan of viewing next year as a transitional one where they bring Gardy and Gregorious back on 1 year deals. Gregorious accepts the Q.A. (which I think will be around $18M and change) and Gardy comes back for 1 year/$15.5M but then they both WALK. Gardy retires.
I just don’t see the Yanks being comfortable handing Gregorious a 5 year deal worth $100M or so like a lot of analysts seem to think will happen- maybe they meet in the middle? Gregorius also seems more motivated by playing time and team spirit than just money. I could see him doing what Gardner did- take a nice healthy extension but below market value so that he remains a Yankee and the Yankees stay loyal to him.
The FA market hasn’t been
kind to over 30 year old
players with an injury
history…..
@Ronk325
Who exactly are we penciling in as a starter in LF? I don’t think they’re going to hand the job over to Tauchman and I don’t think they’re going to give Frazier nor Andujar away. I think Frazier has a legit shot to win the job with Tauchman or Gardner or both as back ups.
All of them back just in time to lose in the playoffs
Hot take.
Yeah I don’t get why folks are so excited about Severino and Stanton coming back for the last few weeks. You gotta wonder if a guy has been injured to the point of sitting out the entire season is it feasible to bring them back for a few weeks and expect them to contribute effectively? A few guys were slow to pick up the pace after returning from injury. Betances would be the best bet to help out because as a pitcher hitters haven’t seen him in a year but he’s been studying them and he’s relief so the pitch count won’t be as much of an issue.
What does our outfield look like next season? People are forgetting about Florial probably being called up to the show in 2020. Then we’ve got Stanton and Hicks under contract, we will probably bring Gardy back if he doesn’t retire, we gotta find playing time for Frazier. Then there’s Tauchman.
Basically the Yankees’ problem is that they can’t put every amazing player in their organization in the line up 162 games a piece. Seems like a good problem to have, given that all of baseball is being more careful about playing time vs resting guys to maximize their contributions and spread the wealthy of opportunities to contribute.
I could see the Tigers taking a call on Stanton. Similar to how they brought in Juan Gonzalez to be their only fan draw during a lean time. At this point, he would’ve a salary dump.
The Yankees built this organization right. Their player development staff is getting the most out of all their prospects. They don’t need big money bats anymore.
I remember many years ago in college, my buddy and I watched as the Yankees signed EVERYBODY before the 2009 season. We both agreed a lot of the contracts were probably gonna end up bad and we were both aware of the guys in their farm system that could contribute soon enough. Granted that was a very different list of names, names like Jesus Montero, Joba Chamberlain and so on. I felt similarly when they had Starlin Castro and flipped/dumped him for Stanton. I had nothing against Stanton. He looked like a really fun player. It was exciting to hear about his contract extension. The Yankees didn’t need him. Don’t need him. His raw numbers aren’t as valuable to a club as a more cohesive batting line up that can keep a rally going and deliver clutch hits, whether it’s a rolling single down the line, or a bunt single, or a patiently earned walk…or a home run. I’d rather have Didi Gregorious up for a come from behind grand slam opportunity than Stanton and I’m not exactly convinced Gregorious is the best option at his position. Gregorious is another one that I don’t want them blowing the bank on. I mean, they can’t get much cheaper than they are now while having consistent veterans and not hoping Mike Tauchman hits .335 with 10 home runs a month unless they run out all the contracts and flip everybody for prospects. But it’s like, I have no problem with them extending Judge, Sanchez and so on but I would have been worried and will be worried if they sign certain high profile free agents.
Hey 2006-
What makes you think that Stanton would accept a trade to Detroit?
Are you nuts?
No way Stanton approves a trade to Detroit. It’s LA or bust.
Kyle Schwarber says hello
At least larry, your name reflects your mental state. You may want meds to help you see reality.
incredible how people all write Stanton off as a salary dump when he’s been consistently been worth the money. i get he has injury concerns, but i think that was pretty well known that he had a history of freak injuries. The only reason he was traded to begin with is because the Marlins chickened out.
People’s issue with Stanton isn’t that he’s a salary dump or worth writing off. It’s that his raw numbers are amazing but his situational numbers are not very good and when he was on the Marlins it was felt that his talent was being wasted. Yes, he has regular 50 home run power but I’d take a clutch guy who hits 30 HR’s a year over a guy you’re convinced will whiff or hit into a rally ending double play and yes he’s worth his $25M AAV overall, just like a guy who goes 0 for 4 in a game a few times a year can still hit .300 on the season..
Stanton’s career OPS with RISP is .860 and with the bases empty it’s .950, While his OPS is lower with RISP it’s still pretty good at .860. I don’t think he ever felt comfortable last year. With time that can change.
Stanton would never approve a trade to Tigers. “The only reason he was traded to begin with is because the Marlins chickened out” Amongst the reasons the Marlins traded Stanton was a the state of their farm, not to mention lack of a legitimate shot at competing without pitching, financial, projection of competing, and so on.
The issue with Stanton is durability. When he’s not 100%, he’s basically useless. Some players can be respectable contributors if they’re a bit dinged up, but Stanton doesn’t seem to be one.
Really, Yankee fans, you should be more concerned with how they’re going to handle (what seems inevitable) the matchup with Verlander/Cole/Grinkie rather than who’s going to be the LFer NEXT year. It’s been a loooooooooooong time between world championships in the Bronx; much too long for a team with its capabilities.
Let next year worry about next year. Just winning the AL East doesn’t quite feed the bulldog.
Stanton’s better than the alternatives, in terms of impacting THIS game on THIS day. That’s all that should count at this point.
10 years is not a long time, but 86 years that’s a long time. Don’t get too arrogant, that curse could resurrect itself.
10 years is a long time for that franchise. The metric is different, primarily because of the money. And just getting to the WS isn’t enough.
Sorry, but to those to whom much is given, much is expected.
Of course 86 years is a long time. Nobody is arguing about. But don’t try to distract. 10 years for the Yankees with no Titles(and not even an appearance in the WS) is embarrassing. Especially considering what they’ve spent on payroll over that time.
Maybe the Astros need to worry about how they’re going to deal with the Yankees superiority in the bullpen throughout any series together.
Thanks for the concern!
No concern at all. Should be a truly great series. Probably better than the WS.
@bobtillman
Part of the article is about Andujar and his perspective with regards to contributing to the 2020 team so I think we’re on topic.
Hey Bob-if I were you I would be worried about including Grienke in the elite group. He can’t handle the pressure of post season games that matter. Have you ever seen his stats with the Diamondbacks? He was so bad that they didn’t pitch him last year.
He is a head case.
How severe is Gio Urshela’s injury. Groin injuries don’t usually mend in 10 days. This is a loss the Yankees can’t afford.
If I had a vote, DJ LeMahieu is the AL MVP. Even though Rafael Devers has the numbers, where would the Yankees be without LaMahieu? Certainly not the best record in MLB.
Hard to vote against Trout who is The Best player in the MLB.
But, MVP should be the player who had the greatest impact on the team he plays for and it would be hard to not vote for DJ as his approach to hitting the other way, being the ultimate tough out, and his clutch performance puts him right at the top.
He is the straw that stirs the Yankees drink!
LeMahieu’s been great but hard to argue against Trout!
Why are you arguing? MOST Valuable does not mean best player. They are going to finish out of a playoff spot AGAIN. So how does he add VALUE?
As the expression goes, they finished a losing season without without him.
No update on Ellsbury?
they’re still moving all of his stuff into his nursing home…
He’s rehabbing in Tampa*
*He just ordered a mojito at a Clearwater Beach Bar.
He’s got the horses in the back, his horse tack is attached, Hat is not a baseball cap, Got the boots that’s black to match, Ridin’ on a horse, ha, Cespedes’ whips a Porsche, They’ve been ‘rehabbing’ but really ain’t been up off that porch, now cashing that bi-weekly $2 milly check
You can’t tell Ellsbury nothin’
Can’t nobody tell Cespedes nothin’
Why can’t the Yankees just keep a rotation of position players. Andujar could play 3rd DH maybe even first. Same with gio also gio can play second
there is not enough room for everybody and we still need starting pitching in the worst way. unless of course you subscribe to Happless improving and German, Montgomery, Loaisiga etc.. being enough.
Don’t forget we have ridiculous depth in the field except maybe catcher….so some players sadly have to go
@geeson So your just not going to include Severino, Paxton and Tanaka in the 2020 plans?
won’t respond to the idiot…
I was specifically referring to depth.
yes the Yanks have those guys. I think they need more and better. I’m sorry i don’t subscribe to Happless being anything more than #5 at best next year and am hoping he doesn’t return for year 3 of his ridiculous contract.
Pax has never pitched more than 160, Seve hasn’t pitched this year, and tanaka has shown up to work every day but has that elbow potential.
So…. .given the injuries and yes potential performance issues (will german repeat?), my hope is once again that Cashman will finally address the SP.
Don’t tell me you would not have preferred corbin and morton this year to say happless and the fat man…….
So for whats it worth, the depth and performance we have on the field needs to be matched on the mound.
You are responding…can’t you follow your own instructions?
With record amounts of injuries (most in MLB history) and the best record in baseball, you sound like a child that is ungrateful.
This team has been rebuilt in three years and is so deep and strong that you should just calm down, CUT out your sarcasm, or you risk further erosion of reputation amongst Yankee fans.
@geeson So your just not going to include Severino, Paxton and Tanaka in the 2020 plans?
@southbeach-FYI-gee whiz only posts about the players for whom he has a hard on. That includes CC and Gardy along with his ATF to attack-Cashman.
His self serving prose qualifies Gee for ultimate entitlement.
you continue to be a myopic moron with zero comprehension of the how the game is played, the economics of the game, nor the first amendment. i suggest you shut the F up and pray the SP pitching staff peaks in Oct and bats come through.
Until then post something of substance or shut the f up
Oh Gee—your feathers are ruffled. It’s nice that you are using the same language here that you use with your wife and family. They really enjoy your openness and inclusive abilities as well as your cordial manner.
So let’s talk priorities jerk:
STOP bashing the older players and cash.
Just SHUT UP and watch-because you keep losing credibility here for your bashing ways.
again the substance of a moron.
What a great self description Gigi.
Just follow my instructions. Otherwise your wife promises to have her way with her sub tonight.
The Yankees should just put Stanton on the 60 day DL and call it a year for him. Fielding mistakes and questionable hitters aren’t needed this time of the season.
Fitsitiqis=Geeson
Busted and humiliated he adopts a new identity with lots of imagination.
Only problem is that the nit-wits approach is so identical to his former self that it is transparent to all.
At least we’ve muzzled the whining about CC, Gardy and Cash I’m the moment.
If found we drag him to Flushing!