With Giancarlo Stanton sidelined, the Yankees have recalled young outfielder Clint Frazier. He had been on optional assignment at the team’s alternate training site.
While hardly a surprising move under the circumstances, it’s a notable moment for team and player. Soon to turn 26, Frazier has long seemed ready for extended MLB action but has not yet received a full shot with the power-packed Bronx Bombers.
Given the timing of the move, Frazier obviously won’t have a chance to accrue a full year of MLB service. He’s likely to stay up long enough to push past the line into two full seasons, at least, and may log enough to qualify for arbitration as a Super Two in the ensuing offseason.
Frazier did take 246 plate appearances last year at the MLB level. The former top prospect turned in a .267/.317/.489 slash with a dozen long balls — good but not world-beating production from a bat-first player.
The question remains whether Frazier can carve out a permanent role in New York. If not, and if Stanton is able to return to health, this could end up functioning as an audition for a potential trade.
It’ll be great when Clint finally gets his shot with the Detroit Tigers or Kansas City Royals!
JohhnyBets67- Well spoken sir. I was thinking with the Tigers, Diamondbacks, or the Rangers. Definitely somewhere out of NY where he’ll become a star. smh
Would the Yankees take Lance Lynn & Roughned Odor for Clint Frazier and a possible player to be named later? Please.
Obviously the Yankees would take that. The Rangers would want more for Lynn I’d assume.
@toooldtocare- No, definitely not. Would the Rangers trade Mike Minor for Miguel Andujar though? I think there’s a fighter’s chance that could happen. If the Yankees aren’t getting Minor back from Rangers then no trade, sorry
@Steve Nebraska- hasn’t Lance Lynn like Sonny Gray proven he can’t pitch in NY already? They are both good. They just can’t pitch here in NY. Few can. Besides the Rangers want Miguel Andujar. Not Frazier. If Mike Minor isn’t coming back in the trade. Then no trade with the Rangers.
@Yank4Life, Rangers need a center fielder, so they can move Solak to 2nd base, before they screw him up moving around the diamond. Don’t think they will part with Minor.
Seriously.
Frazier and Voit and SS & C prospect for
Lindor and a short contract starter.
DJ to first.
Try Deivi, Schmidt and Dominguez for Lindor. Not the Yankees spare car parts.
Yanks4life. Actually, Lynn’s stint with the yanks is the reason he netted his 3 year deal with the rangers. His peripherals suddenly jumped through the roof when he got to New York, and he’s continued on that path ever since.
@JohhnyBets67- not going to happen this season with the Indians a for sure playoff season. Lindor is likely traded somewhere else next season in his walk year. Besides bro Yanks aren’t trading Dominguez or Schmidt anyhow. They are here to keep as well as Florial. My guess Lindor gets traded to the Padres next season for Patino, C.J Abrams, and others.
@Srechter35- I never said Lynn wasn’t a good pitcher. He definitely earned that contract. My thing is let him stay in Texas where he is comfortable. He signed there for a reason. Don’t trade him back to New York where he was never comfortable. I saw him pitch some really good games away from NY. He has really great stuff.
@toooldtocare- you could trade for Frazier but it would be a really Huge mistake putting them in centerfield. Your better off trading for a natural centerfielder. Putting Red Thunder In center would like be putting a deer right in front of the headlights. A scary thought.
@dave frost nhlpa- I truly wish. But definitely not going to happen, especially at that price. Best chance to get Lindor is next season during his walk year. The Indians will never trade him while their in contention. And they are definitely a playoff team this year and have the potential to be a surprise team in the AL in 2020.
Not sure Minor would have the head skills for NY either – he’s more of a Texas/Georgia kinda guy.
@dudeman40- yeah not wanting to see Miguel Andujar becoming the next Adrian Beltre in Texas either. He will never be what Beltre is with the glove. But I can definitely see it with the bat. I can see if he’s givin over 500 at bats .285 30 homers, and 115 RBI’s yearly.
I despise this false narrative that certain players “can’t pitch in NY”… as if NY is so utterly glamorous that it somehow alters talent level? A complete myth. Location does not effect talent.
That’s about right. Jasson, one of those two pitchers plus a dice roll kid for Lindor. I’m not sure the Yankees would part with both those young pitchers, as they badly need pitching depth for 2021; but there’s probably a higher ceiling guy down in the minors who could fill out the deal. Keep in mind, non-roster players have some added trade value, since Cleveland would not be forced to cut someone.
@Cosmodeus- let me give you a quick starting 5 of pitchers who couldn’t pitch in NY:
Javier Vasquez
Jose Contreras
Jeff Weaver
Sonny Gray
Kevin Brown
What do these pitchers all have in common? Think about it for a second.
@Gasu1- nobody wants to see Lindor on the Yankees more then me. I wish it could happen but it definitely won’t be this season if it does unfortunately. Best case scenario is the Indians fall out of contention next season and they trade him to the Yankees. That’s not happening this season my friend. I’m sorry.
You’re cherry/picking to name guys with up and down careers who happened to be down while in NY. Pitching in the AL vs the NL has a big effect, but with location, you’ve cherry-picked data to show correlation, but still offer no plausible causation… do skyscrapers make curveballs curve less?
maybe you should stop cherry picking the yankees top prospect rankings and get a clue on value before you post dumb trade packages.
@Remms12- what trade package was dumb or didn’t make sense? Please explain or just be quiet then. smh
Cleveland would never do that unless those prospects are very good.
@Cosmodeus- Not cherry picking at all. Basically, the reasoning was some guys just can’t pitch in New York for some reason. That doesn’t mean their bad pitcher’s though. Those 5 pitchers mentioned above all had success in other places. So the talent they have is there. They just can’t put their big boy pants on for some reason? Maybe it’s the bright lights of NY?
@yank you forgot Esteban Loaiza. As a White Sox fan I want to thank your organization for supporting the 2005 World Series Champions.
Yank4Life, you kinda said it yourself when you said, “for some reason.” That’s just it, what occurred is that they happened to have their worst years in NY, the reason that we’re so vague about why is because there is no causation at all; it’s just something that happens sometimes in a pool of vast statistical possibilities.
They all pitched in ny before or after their prime yrs.
@royhobbs- Sonny Gray, Javier Vasquez Pitched in NY during their prime. Not after
Cosmodeus- My point is I wouldn’t want Lance Lynn, Sonny Gray etc. pitching here in NY. You could take those guys on your favorite team. That’s up to you. I feel bad when their in a pressured environment and they explode. Good luck with that… smh
@Jim Tom- lol! All I remember is Orlando Hernandez coming in the game against the Red Suks with the bases loaded with no outs and coming thru giving up no runs. So thanks for beating them & I guess everyone else? My NL team is the Cubs though. So I can’t root for Chi-Sox, sorry. But your a playoff team this year I feel. Wish you the best.
I’d say location does have an effect if you don’t necessarily want to be there. But there’s some definite truth in ballpark/location/quirks, philosophy, and most importantly what I think of when people refer to the inability to pitch in a certain location is the expectations and lifestyle changes that come with it. To outright dismiss the inability of certain handle everything that comes with playing under the bright lights in New York seems a bit of inferiority complex. You can definitely throw Boston in there. LA is there not so much of media expectations or constant fan pressure, but expectation to perform. On the other it feels like that sentiment is thrown out by far to many as laziness. Ahhh he didn’t perform or had a bad season, can’t play in NY.
Clint “Cooperstown” Frazier.
@baseballpun- Yes, definitely when he is finally traded from the Yankees and has a chance to play everyday. This kid has the makings of a star.
Frazier for Tatis, Jr., who says no?
@baseball pun- Lol! Don’t we all wish. Maybe for Tatis, Sr., maybe?
idk man seems a little light for Frazier man.
Gore, Patino, Preller’s first born, Petco Park, and a life time supply of San Diego’s best microbreweries might even that trade out.
It’s kind of fun making light of overhyped Yankee prospects not delivering, but it’s not really fair here. This guy would be a starting outfielder on probably 10 teams in the league and a reserve OF on probably 15 others. But the Yankees are too stacked for him to even get a chance.
The Rule 5 draft needs to be amended to allow guys that are on the 40, but not the 25/26/28 man roster within 2 years to be drafted and be given a chance to play elsewhere. Or maybe something like a mini-expansion draft for existing teams every year. Given the bottom 10-12 teams in the league an opportunity to pick up 40 man players at the cost of a 2nd or 3rd round pick or so. It can ruin potentially great careers for guys to be bounced around as much as Frazier. And it’s unfair to the player because if he was on the Pirates or the Marlins, he would probably be approaching 4 years of service time, but with the Yanks he will barely have 2 after this year.
And I don’t want it to seem like I am picking on the Yankees. The same is true for many teams that have entrenched guys as starters, but they don’t want to trade away these prospects just in case of injury. Or they don’t want to look like idiots that traded away an All Star 5 years later.
Good observation and I agree with the needed change in MLB rule. Clint would be at least a 3 yr roster player for many. As such, who knows how well he could have improved (fielding).
Easier solution is let teams trade draft picks.
Guy like Frazier would most likely be traded if the Yankees could acquire a draft pick or 2 for him.
Pretty simple to set up:
You can only trade rounds 1-10.
You can’t trade consecutive years picks. i.e. you can’t trade 2021s 10th round pick and 2022s 10th round pick.
You can trade up to 5 years in the future but no more.
You can trade conditional picks based on player performance.
You cap the number of picks per year from rounds 1-10 to double so 20 picks rounds 1-10. So you can pick up 10 extra picks between rounds 1-10 any combination.
Good point. Evidence in favor of your argument is that some compensatory draft picks can be traded; and international bonus allowances can also be traded, which have similarities to draft picks. And they are indeed traded, although the trades to date seem to indicate the vale is pretty low. But a late first round pick may be worth more than the current pick/bonus options available.
In a way that’s what I was talking about. I am not in favor of trading draft picks like they do in the NFL and NBA. Not whatsoever. Those leagues don’t have minor league rosters to choose from so it makes sense to trade unknown quantities. But trading draft picks in MLB would only lend to longer terms of rebuilding. If you can trade your MLB players for next year’s draft picks instead of guys in AA or AAA, that will add 2-3 years to your rebuild. I am in favor of the complete opposite.
What I like is the idea of bad teams picking guys from the 40 man that have one option remaining and aren’t on the big league roster. In order to get one of those guys, they have to send a draft pick in exchange for them. So the better team that loses the player will get a younger prospect to develop while the worse gets a player that will be in the majors immediately. It would actually create shorter rebuild and make more teams competitive each year, in theory. That way guys like Frazier won’t stagnate in AAA and second tier teams won’t stagnate year after year either.
I’m not sure what you’re saying is a true reflection of the situation. You may be right that Frazier could be playing for a lot of other teams. Or it could be that Frazier has been over-hyped and really isn’t as good as Yankee fans think he is.
I have to believe that if he was that good, scouts and thus other team’s FOs would know it. And if that was the case he would be a trade-able commodity.
The NYYs aren’t benefiting from using Frazier as they are. Wouldn’t they be far better off trading him for a more usable piece? Wouldn’t trading him for a JA Happ replacement be better? I think he’s a decent, around an MLB-average guy, and teams know it.
I wasn’t saying he is a guaranteed superstar. In fact more than likely he is just that, an MLB average guy. But what I am saying is that he would get an extended chance if he were on Baltimore or Detroit or San Francisco or Miami. It would be a lot like the Rule 5 draft. The majority of Rule 5 draftees are garbage., but every now and then you find a diamond in the rough. These guys would a step up from that, but they still need chances to play as well.
I also agree that trading him would be better for the Yankees as well, but they aren’t doing it. They are treating him like a perfectly driveable car that you leave in the garage just in case your current car breaks down. You would be better off selling the car to someone who has worse car and using the money for something else you need. But the Yanks just want to keep him just in case of emergency and it’s just not fair to the player.
I’ll just throw in Chad Greene and he could be a starter with a lot of teams.
@lowereastsider- I would really be careful putting Chad Green as a starter he throws 2 pitches. The mid 90’s fastball and that excellent slider. Green is best suited for the bullpen and could close for a lot of teams. If Chad Green could get me a Michael Fulmer I would take that trade in a heartbeat. You wouldn’t be losing anything. You could keep Fulmer in the bullpen for now and then use him as a starter next season. Yanks should consider it.
I recall Clint Frazier too. Wasn’t he a ballplayer of some note?
He had a sitcom in the 90s.
@baseballpun- Yes, I believe it was a hit sitcom in the 90s.
I though he starred in those old Korean “Kimchee westerns” from the ’60’s.
WillieWildkat- Yes, a ballplayer in a land far far away
It is just that he can’t catch the baseball. Or throw the baseball. I don’t think his hitting ability has been questioned.
@Larry Leonardo- I really feel like Frazier is an average left fielder if given a chance. I feel at this point the Yankees would rather move Andujar then Frazier. The Yankees feel that Andy could net a few prospects from another organization like the Cubs or the Braves as been reported. Gardner’s option for next season is unlikely to be picked up leaving Frazier a spot in leftfield.
Best bet for Frazier and the Yankees is if the DH gets universally adopted across the NL next year. While he can play the outfield, his defense leaves a lot to be desired. If this is Gardy’s last year, they might hang on to him as he is cheap and they need cheap players to round out their roster.
@Dorothy_Mantooth- you are right on as always. But as this point I feel Miguel Andujar will be traded. Yes, Frazier will play left field next season when Gardy’s option is declined.
You guys are forgetting about Mike Tauchman. Dude has show he can field and hit a little. Frazier would still be the sixth outfielder next year behind Judge, Hicks, Stanton, Tauchman, and Anduljar.
@loweastrider- I really feel that Miguel Andujar is going to be traded for prospects at the August 31st trade deadline. He can’t play left field at all. Frazier is a lot better out there then him. And with with Gio Urshela here at 3rd base there is no room for him there. And Voit and Ford are at lst. Don’t be shocked to see him moved to the Braves, Tigers, or Cubs. These teams are loaded with left handed starting pitching prospects. Something the Yankees desperately need. My guess who ever offers the NYY the best deal out of those 3. The Rangers maybe would deal Mike Minor for Andy. I would if I was them. They probably won’t though.
hope he finally gets a shot some day
@DarkSide830- Oh for sure most likely with a different organization that will give him the at bats and playing time he needs to perform. Unless the Yankees will do this next season. I doubt it.
I’m not sure it’s notable for either the player or the team. The Yankees have exceptional depth, which is why they can option Frazier and Andujar, while also keeping Tauchman and Ford in the mix. Frazier will be used until Stanton returns and then heads back to the Alternate Site, unless there are additional injuries or Stanton is delayed. Certainly possible. Frazier probably won’t get a consistent look until he’s out of options, which I believe is 2021 for him. Until then, he’s being used as depth, but the man carries a MLB bat. The glove remains questionable.
Cashman manipulates service time so Joe Kelly gets suspended another 8 games and Mets have another Player opt out due to “health concerns”.
Frazier for Adell straight up!
@californiaangels- lol. I can’t believe how much you hate Adell. What are you not telling us about him? And please explain. I would love to hear it. I can’t believe it but I might have to pass. Yanks need pitching like a Minor, Boyd, or a Ray. Out of those guys I would probably pick Boyd because he has another year before free agency. I hate to give up Red Thunder for a rental.
Yes Yank4! Why are they not getting pitching!! Stop freaking hording guys that would be starting players other teams and get pitching for them!
Cashman needs to call Tigers. Boyd, Fulmer and Romine for Sanchez, Frazier, Andujar, Wade, and Garcia. Wade expendable due to Estrada. Frazier and Andujar expendable due Urshela and Florial hopefully. Sanchez just needs a fresh start somewhere else. Next season Cole,Sevy,Boyd, Tanaka, Fulmer/Montgomery.
Would the Rangers consider trading Odor of Stanton. One bad contract for another. At least Odor lefty bat in Yankees stadium would be better even if both strike out too much
@mlbnyyfan- Hey brother I can definitely see a trade with the Tigers happening. I just don’t see the Yanks parting with Andujar & Frazier. Just one or the other. I like Al Abreu a lot but he most likely would be going with Clint to the Tigers with Cessa, Holder, Wade or Estrada. I can see Fulmer, Romine, and either Boyd or Joey Wentz coming back to New York in that transaction. Yanks would likely have to part with Al Abreu or Luis Gil in the trade. Florial, Garcia, or Schmidt are off limits in any trade unless the Indians go crazy and want to trade Lindor which they won’t.
Wow, @mlbnyyfan.
I thought you maxed out with your Aaron Judge for Eric Hosmer trade proposal.
It appears I sold you short.
You – obviously – have a whole other gear of ridiculous. I feel some sort of hat tip is in order…
Thursday’s transactions: Frazier sent back to alternate camp, recall a case of fungo bats.
@nymetsking- those fungo bats sounds a lot better then trading for Long Islands finest- Marcus Stroman at this point. You guys ever find Yoenis Cespedes? I heard he was under a rock with Captain Morgan after they fell off a ship together?
@Yank4life. I’ve been saying for several months that Yankees need to go all in for Lindor. Can you imagine him atop of that lineup with his speed and DJ batting second. The desperately need a legitimate lead off hitter.
@mlbnyyfan- No brother I can’t imagine it. It truly would be lights out and another Yankee dynasty. He is our missing piece. I feel he will probably come as a free agent after next season, since his best friend is Gio Urshela. If the Indians have a bad year next season, they might decide to trade him at the deadline for the best package. I can see the Padres landing Lindor for Luis Patino, Adrian Morejon, or Michel Baez and C.J Abrams. Then the Friars will try to sign him for the next 6 or 7 years. Hopefully that doesn’t happen.
Padres definitely have a great chance with all those prospects. Mets need to call them to get a HUGE haul for DeGrom. Next year Yankees looking to add Roderick Arias and some scouts saying he could be even better than Lindor. Adding him along with Dominguez won’t be long before next dynasty.
Yeah, that’s not going to happen. The Padres aren’t looking to give out another $300-$400 million contract. They certainly aren’t going to give up all of their major prospect capital on a leadoff hitting SS with big time power and speed. They already have one of those. He is currently leading MLB in most offensive categories.
Besides which at the end of this year Lindor has 1 ARB year left. That makes him very similar to of, I don’t know, maybe Mookie Betts last year? How many top prospects did get net? Certainly nowhere close to 2 top 30 overall prospects plus.
Padres should of gotten Betts. Boston would of gotten more from them than from the Dodgers
Javia- yes you might be right. The Padres could just wait till next season like you said. The price for Lindor would be cheaper then the one I mentioned. Lindor would be the perfect player for the Padres or the Mets. He is definitely the type of player that is a game changer. Every team needs a face for their franchise. He is definitely that guy for sure. The Indians should try harder to keep him. They’ll regret it. Best package they could get is right now. The price goes lower next season as far as prospects if they move him then as a rental.
The Padres offered Quantrill, Margot and Myers for Betts. The Sox did take the better offer for Betts.
If that was the Padres offer then I would say no also. Why would you not go all in for Betts. Instead you allow him to go to a division rival
Javia- yes that package for Betts wasn’t enough. The Red Sox definitely made a better deal with the Dodgers.
Because the Padres knew that they wouldn’t be able to sign him to a $365 million contract. They weren’t going to overpay for a rental. Besides which, the Padres outfield is doing all right without him.
Javia- With that all being said which was a good point. Where do you think Lindor signs as a free agent after next season? Do you think he gets traded somewhere next season at the deadline?
Imagine him on the Yanks?!
I really have no idea where Lindor will sign. I am sure he will sign with whoever gives him the most money. Do the Yankees have the ability to give him $350-$400 million? Probably, but I think that money would be better allocated to pitching depth and saving to resign their own 2B. Angels and Red Sox need pitching more than another bat. Dodgers blew their load on Betts. Rangers? There aren’t many big market teams with a lot of money left to spend who specifically need a SS. Your guess is as good as mine at this point.
Good for Frazier; he’s bided his time, he’s worked hard and stayed true to the game. He deserves to get a solid chance and I hope he crushes it!
This is turning in to a soap opera.
There are probably WS articles you could go to…
@Javia I agree Lindor possibly to the Rangers with Elvis getting older. I thought for sure Rondon would sign there. New Stadium they need to spend some money to eventually bring fans to new stadium . Maybe the Cubs sign Lindor him and Baez a nice double play combo. I would absolutely love him on Yankees but with them counting every penny with Torres and Judge needing a contract in a few years. If they can somehow unload Stanton that could help. Doubtful Yankees sign anymore big time free agents. I’m still disappointed they didn’t sign Corbin. So what team would take Stanton if Yankees pay half the contract??
Dang. Did that comment offend you? Sad.
Nope, I was kidding Jim Tom. Too many people get offended too quickly; my comment to you was in jest.
How about Clint Frazier and a couple prospects to Detroit for Matt Boyd? Would it take Andujar as well? Boyd is like 29ish and wont really b apart of the next competitive Tigers team. The Yanks need another starter badly
How about Boyd, Fulmer and Romine for Sanchez, Frazier, Andujar, Wade, Abreu.
@dust44- Yanks would probably trade Frazier, Abreu, Holder, and Cessa for Boyd, Fulmer, and Romine.
@mlbnyyfan- yanks are not trading Sanchez at all. Unless Realmuto is coming back to us in the trade. Trust me he’s slumping. He’ll get it together soon, Brother. No worries. Yanks are only going to trade Frazier or Andujar. Unlikely they trade both for Matthew Boyd. Just one of them cuz.
Total waste of time he’ll be sitting on the bench while we watch Gardner strikeout 98 times in a week and bat .112 for the season. Same Yankee trend!
How about the Yankees keep him and let him play.
He is just a better player than gardy who at best is their 6th best outfielder (judge Stanton Hicks tauchman and Frazier are all better)…. otherwise cash will flip him for another pen arm and he will thrive elsewhere…
I been saying this for I can’t remember how many years now.
So Clint goes 3-4 and he’ll sit the next two game while Gardner goes 0-8 and hit .112. Yankee wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy