There are still various paths the Yankees’ search for shortstop help could take, and the organization has at least given some thought to a potential out-of-the-box solution. In an appearance on the Michael Kay Show this week, Buster Olney of ESPN said the Yankees “have talked a little bit…internally” about the possibility of acquiring A’s third baseman Matt Chapman with an eye towards moving him to shortstop.
All teams kick around outside-the-box possibilities to address areas of the roster, of course. That the front office has considered Chapman as a shortstop option doesn’t inherently mean they’re preparing for an all-out run at the Oakland third bagger coming out of the transactions freeze. Yet the idea sheds some light on the Bronx Bombers’ potential willingness to bolster the position in an atypical manner.
Chapman has played ten innings at shortstop as a big leaguer, starting one game there in 2020. Otherwise, he’s played exclusively at the hot corner, where he’s among the game’s top defenders. Defensive Runs Saved and Statcast’s Outs Above Average have both given Chapman glowing reviews for his glovework throughout his career. Since Chapman made his big league debut in 2017, no third baseman has topped his +78 run mark from DRS. Only Nolan Arenado, at +71, is even in the same stratosphere; no one else is above +28. By measure of OAA, Chapman’s second at the position at +48 plays, with only Arenado rated more highly.
There’d be some risk in switching Chapman off a position at which he’s been so excellent. Yet it’s also easy to see why a team may give the idea some thought, since essentially no other third baseman can match Chapman’s glove and elite arm strength. Moves up the defensive spectrum are infrequent but not completely unheard of. The Rangers’ Isiah Kiner-Falefa, another reported player of interest to the Yankees, slid from third base to shortstop last season after a couple years of plus glovework at third. His defensive ratings at shortstop were mixed; DRS thought Kiner-Falefa was well above-average, while Statcast panned his work there.
The A’s are generally expected to make a few key players available in trade coming out of the lockout. Oakland is reportedly looking to trim payroll, and Chapman — projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz for a $9.5MM salary in his penultimate season of arbitration — is among the costlier players on the roster. The A’s would be able to bring in a strong return for the 28-year-old based on the quality of his glove alone, but potential acquiring teams will also have to determine whether they believe he can regain his best form at the plate.
After combining for a .263/.348/.507 line between 2018-19, Chapman owns a .215/.306/.431 mark since the start of 2020. He’s seen a spike in swing-and-miss over the past couple seasons, striking out at the sixth-highest rate (33.1%) among players with 500+ plate appearances in that time. A right hip injury that necessitated September 2020 surgery could partially explain those struggles, but Chapman continued to whiff at an alarming rate throughout the 2021 campaign even as he’s gotten further removed from that procedure.
Of course, the Yankees could consider more traditional solutions to address their shortstop need. Carlos Correa and Trevor Story remain available on the free agent market, but reports have suggested New York may not want to make that kind of long-term investment with prospects Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe nearing big league readiness. New York could turn to other stopgap options via free agency or trade. Players like Kiner-Falefa or Nick Ahmed may be available and would cost less prospect capital than Chapman would, albeit without comparable on-field upside. As things currently stand, Gio Urshela would likely be the top shortstop option in the Bronx but he could kick back over to third base if the Yankees address the position externally.
But I thought they were looking for a shortstop…
Does it ever end?
Here’s a suggestion using some Hal / Cash/ Boonie out-of-the-box thinking……
They move Gary Sánchez to SS, see, than sign Todd Frazier to share catching duties with Kyle Higashioka. Huh?
Keeps them under the luxury tax and lets them keep a few of those sterling minor league prospects in their loaded farm system – brethren to the legends they’ve brought up the past 5 years. The ones that other teams are clamoring for and will eagerly give up their best players to get a hold of.
……and here many of you readers thought the Mets were the funny MLB team in NYC……
One team is funny, one is hilarious
Samuel you sure are a funny guy. I hope you’ve been keeping a full list of these anti Yankees jokes you’ve been come up with. They could make for a killer set at an open mic night.
Who the hell leaked this to Buster Olney? Someone somewhere should be ashamed of themselves either for lying or letting the world know the Yankees organization has even considered something this stupid. I know front offices spit ball ridiculous ideas all the time but they shouldn’t go public! Not unless they are actually going to happen. If this actually happens it’s worse than I thought.
Please, Hammer. Don’t hurt ’em.
Who the hell leaked this to Buster Olney?
======================
Probably Cashman himself. He’s probably looking at another SS, and wants to show he has other options.
He’s done this before when he signed Damon, and when he wanted to push up the price on the RS signing Lowell.
I think Cash and Hal just snort lines of coke and throw midgets at a Velcro wall with Twitter suggestions written on them to come up with their ideas at this point….
@LebronHatesAsians For somebody sensitive about LeBron hating Asians, would you consider your “midget” joke might be construed as insensitive by some?
@ignorant-son-of-a-b – The Ghosts of Bill Veeck & Eddie Gaedel are on an ethereal line 2…Eddie is not available at SS even in a trade for Torres.
@Lebron – you don’t think 29 other FOs aren’t doing the same?
You should watch a movie once in a while and you’d get the reference.
The Rays are not doing the same thing. They can’t afford coke.
I don’t think considering Chapman to play short is in any way comparable to moving Gary Sanchez to SS.
Ya know, @Sam, I try to foster a belief that I can learn about something from everyone. You – however – are single handedly challenging that particular notion. But if you ever want to do some winshooting or trout fishing, I am begging you to please hit me up. I think that would be thoroughly delightful.
If you are knocking the Yankees minor league system then you have no prospect knowledge. They easily have 3-4 youngsters every team would happily add to their farm. Granted they don’t have anyone that would bring back a middle of the order bat or TOR arm, but they could easily put together a package for any player not named Trout, Soto, Acuna or Tatis. Say what you want about Torres but most of the baseball world knows that once he is out of NY he will start to live up to his pedigree and most teams would love to add him.
Yanks do have a bunch of good prospects at this point, no doubt.
Not sure about Torres. Statcast never backed up his ’18, ’19 numbers and his regression has been striking. Rather have DJL playing 2B.
The Mets would just spend the money and get the best SS
Then finish below .500 like they did last year and will do so again next year, that’s just a fact.
You need to learn what the word “fact” means
I’ll take that bet
They did that recently and failed
Hirschen:
Wow, you think the Mets are signing Fernando Tatis, Jr. (42 home runs in 130 games) or Trea Turner (0.335 avg in 2020 and 0.328 avg in 2021)? Both were top-7 in MVP votes each of the past two years.
The Mets current shortstop hit only 0.230 in 2021. He had fewer homers than Trea in 2021 and less than half as many as Tatis in 2021.
And they’d still finish below .500 and miss the playoffs, lolmets
Yes!
Move him off 3B so Yoyo wins the Gold
glove at 3B!!
Is Yoyo his real nickname or did you just make it up? Sincerely asking.
Real nickname. Sox fans know, it is a Bennetti classic
Wait who is Yo-yo
Yo mama
Yoan Moncada!
Yo-Yo Ma is an American cellist. The Yankees are looking to replace the organist. The Red Sox are looking for someone to replace their organist as well. Picture Sweet Caroline played on a picollo.
If Gio Urshela is an option at short right now, then why would they ever consider moving arguably the best 3B in the game, definitely top 2?
I guess Yankees should check in on Eugenio Suarez. Ask about Moustakas too. Why not?
Or just don’t play anyone at short. That’s the real power move.
Hosmer is still in the race for Yankees shortstop, sources say.
I heard it was Bartolo Colon.
No Russell Wilson actually
If we are talking football, who thinks that if Tom Brady retires at the end of the season that Aaron Rogers will sign with Tampa Bay?
@Manny I don’t think Brady is retiring and I have a hunch Aaron could go to the Broncos. Where’s Russell going?
I don’t think anyone wants Russell at this point. His game is trash and his contract is horrible and I can’t imagine any team wanting to take the chance on him.
rodgers will probably stay in GB if they re sign devante. his relationship w gutekunst seems to have become better which was the entirety his bone of contention. this year rodgers was given almost total control of personnel matters bringing in guys he felt he needed to compete.
i really don’t see him going anywhere.
Broncos are too played out. So are the Vikings. My guess is if he goes he throws everyone off and signs with Detroit. Now that’s a statement move.
If the Yankees took on Eugenio Suarez, would Cincinnati also include Luis Castillo or Sonny Gray? Or would it be a prospect attached to Suarez’ deal?
Of the Reds three SPs, Gray makes the most sense to try and package because he has the least value by himself but I don’t think NYY is going for round 2 with him.
AvgJoe….By most sense, did you mean least sense? Castillo will cost the most, Mahle the least expensive but 2nd most desirable Reds MLB ready SP from a Yankee lens. Gray is a known quantity for NYY.
Cash might look at a bigger package including Amir Garrett. A fairly young, dominant RP that could-as a bonus- add to their roster of towering players.
Additional interesting wrinkle for fans would be when Garrett and Baez face each other.
@averagejoe you never know does the name Javier Vazquez ring a bell?
@paddy did you just use the word dominant in a sentence with the name Amir Garrett? That dude blows why would anyone trade for him? Wasn’t his ERA over 5.00?
Yea he actually said in an interview the that NY was to much for him. The media, fans, expectations whatever so he needs to stay in a small market. I hope my Jays stay away from him
Neither the Yankees nor Sonny Gray want a reunion. Suarez cannot play shortstop. Suarez and Gray to the Mariners makes much more sense and Suarez can replace Kyle Seager and Sonny Gray will do better in Seattle than in New York.
Knowing it the Yankees, Cincinnati would obviously have to pay Suarez entire contract (NYY been playing poor for a year now), which is quite affordable, so Yanks would be the one adding prospects.
Use the defensive shift approach. I like it.
These speculation articles on who the Yankees will get for SS are getting old. They have 4 decent to very good SS prospects. 2 of them should be ready sometime next year. They are not signing a superstar or trading for a big name. They are gonna sign a 1 year band-aid with above average defense and an iffy bat. They need another outfielder and a left handed first baseman. That is where the money will be spent. Another decent middle of the rotation starter wouldn’t surprise me either. If they take on a contract it will be for the prospects or additional player. Chapman isn’t gonna happen unless it’s a mega trade with someone like Torres going to Oakland and another one of the A’s short timers coming back. Andrus and Olson for Torres and Voit makes sense for both teams. Fixes problems for both. DJ back to 2nd and Andrus playing SS for 1 year while the Yankees take on money and the A’s bring back decent quality with years of control. Torres gets out of NY and he will become a stud.
@thecoffinnail
I think that’s the most lopsided trade proposal I’ve read in months. No way Oakland doesn’t laugh at that.
That’d be an intersting idea, but not one that if I were a fan of the Yankees, be fully on-board with. I think it’s better to go with a stopgap option who can provide plus defense at shortstop rather than something like this where you’re rolling the dice on defense.
Yeah, but look at all the fun the Yankee Hating Fellas are having with this one. They even get to rip on Gary Sanchez for oodles of upvotes, & ****. Took a lot of scrolling to get to an actual baseball take. & yours is it, @mlb1225.
Also: I have been wanting DeJong there since early in the offseason. A Cards fan suggested it to me & I have not found any idea I prefer yet.
Sanchez is having his contract year in 2022. Guaranteed he will have a MVP caliber season. He is a paycheck player that only gives max effort when he has too. Breakout year for him next year and then he will probably follow the Wieters career path once he gets a megadeal. Cashman will probably be the fool that gives him an 8 figure contract too.
I have never bought into the notion that Phat Sancho is “lazy”. As an 18 year old kid, the Yanks did get on him in re his game prep. But: my son is now 18. His only academic “goal” is to maintain his GPA at the least amount of effort he can put in. & I don’t really see him as being lazy. More like a typical High School Senior. Nickels to navy beans the same was true of teenage Gary Sanchez.
He has put in tons of extra time with Swanson learning the “knee down” stance. & – even as a multi-time All Star & Silver Slugger recipient – has played winter ball in order to work on his swing.
Unfortunately, I guess it’s pretty clear by now that he won’t be the next Great Yankee Catcher. But the young man does work hard. He got dinged early on for slopping through something that is more than likely pretty boring fare. & – like so many things – the NY media took it & ran.
why not just use Gio at SS in that scenario? lol.
He would move to the bench. Champan, DJ, Gleyber infield.
Gleyber would be going to Oakland as part of the package.
No. Frazier and Andujar for Chapman and cash.
For the almighty Frazier and Andujar, Oakland would need to send some serious firepower in return. Manea, Bassit and Chapman would probably get it done.
Wow that’s pretty clever of you. You are the one millionth person to make the same joke. Now be honest … When you typed it you thought you were being amusing didn’t you?
Go cry on your 2021 Yankees wild card poster
Yay!! As you are clearly the Carlos Mencia of the baseball world I was expecting you to respond with an unoriginal line about my mom’s basement which has also been used a million times. Nice to see you put a little effort into it.
@Darryl Rose I know I’m so tired of the same joke over and over. What’s even funnier is that teams were asking for those two players that season it wasn’t the Yankees shopping them around.
Oakland won’t be interested in the remainder of Torres contract.
You forgot to include Refsnyder with your all too clever comment. Come on, if you are gonna beat a joke to death might as well go all in. Had you included Joba and Hughes you might have actually given it new legs.
Andujar will be a tempting trade target once the NL gets the DH. Guy can hit just can’t field to save his life.
@stymeedone- Oakland would be fine taking on the remainder of Torres contract, considering there’s not much of one. They probably will start complaining about taking on the $5 million dollars that Luke Voit is owed for this year.
there are four INF positions.
You’re right. Luke Voit is playing SS
I’m pretty sure there are 6 infield positions.
@Darryl. Between your sarcasm and hostility, does that make you the George Carlin of the baseball world? =)
@SalaryCapMyth Lol. In 61 years I am pretty certain you are the first person to call me hostile … Sarcastic however is another story. .
You are correct DRose, its obnoxious and deters from any meaningful baseball convo…so basically par for the course nowadays in here
Men, and I use that word loosely, just pecking away at their keyboards like 14 yr old girls for the attention
Whoa, “men”? Now you double your offensive language?
Chapman would probably still be a plus defender at short, while Gio wouldn’t. That would be my reasoning for not going Gio.
No point in getting Chapman. The Yankees should be getting high batting average guys who hit singles and doubles. They dont need Odor 2.0 with better defense. Their whole lineup is swing for the fences, draw a walk, or strikeout. They are basically Joey Gallo the lineup right now
IKF would be a good option for them, depending on the prospect cost
At least Chapman is good defensively. But he does profile with players like Gallo and Sanchez and Voit.
@kevins- trading for Chapman and moving a gold glove third baseman to shortstop obviously makes zero sense. The Yankees should steer clear of Chapman. Olson and either Montas or Manaea are more of a need.
Ironically, he and Arenado were high school teammates and it was Chapman who played third, Arenado short.
Yeah, Arenado was two years his senior. It would be odd for a freshman to knock a future MLB caliber gold glover upperclassman off of SS.
Made me think of Pedroia/Kinsler
How’s that irony?
Cuz everyone thinks Arenado is now the better third baseman (I don’t necessarily agree, but what do I know).
Ok now it is obvious it is just the number. Over 20 of how many compromising photos Cashman has of the Steinbrenner kids? The guy just doesn’t have a clue.
Smart move. Can’t see any issue moving a perennial platinum glove 3rd baseman to shortstop.
“Have talked a little bit internally” could mean a joke in passing. Why not make a mountain out of a mole hill when the news is nonexistent.
I mean that about Buster not MLBTR
“reportedly.”
Leave it to Cashman to go after a player to play him out of position. Will the lunacy ever end?
pass
@honey nut Clever screen name, cheers
In no way did it say Cashman was doing so, just that it’s one of the ideas they’ve kicked around (and probably won’t follow through with).
Regardless of how good his glove is, Chapman’s significant decline at the plate is too risky for other teams to overpay for. This is why Matt Olson would bring back a better prospect haul than Chapman, even though Chapman plays a much more demanding position and is the best in the game at it defensively. You have no idea how Chapman will perform at the plate; he could be the next Bellinger or Yelich.
However, I seek Bellinger coming back to form this year. Yelich seems like a shell of his former self and Chapman never was EXCELLENT.
Matt Chapman never was excellent?
Did you capitalize the word ‘excellent’ so when someone called you out, you could point to the capitalization and move the goal posts for what excellent means?
Recency bias says “Hi”
Excellent at the plate? No… good to very good? For a year or two yes
2018 and 2019 are excellent at the plate (but again the word is subjective) But Baseball Fan never specified batting.
Matt Chapman has been an excellent overall player the entire time.
Next article. Matt Olson Yankees ss candidate?!?!
Kershaw to replace Sanchez
Peanut vendor plays SS and the beer man closes games for the Yankees. In Cashman, Yankees believe lol
Using the always reliable “gut and eyeball” test, I never felt fear when Matt Chapman was hitting. I did when Matt Olsen was.
Andres Gimenez from the Indians. Could move him to 2B or bench piece when Peraza or Volpe are ready.
Adalberto Mondesi of the Royals.
Might never happen but Taylor Walls of the Rays
Actually, the Mondesi idea is very solid. Royals have some really good prospects ready to move up right out of spring training this year.
Yanks want to trade for and move the best 3B in the game to SS when there are still several SS’s available in free agency?
You say this like there’s something wrong with that. Comon’ now…
Because Chapman won’t cost 9 figures. It shouldn’t be that difficult to determine their reasoning here, even if it’s a goofy plan.
Why do they need a SS? With the shifts, just put another position player out there. Problem solved.
Click bait…
Buster Olney doesn’t have any legitimate sources he just reports the news on ESPN’s behalf after someone more credible breaks the story first. In the unlikely event someone from within the Yankees organization actually relayed this to Olney it’s nothing more than a smokescreen
Olney’s one of the national guys who DOES have sources. Some don’t. He does.
He most definitely does not. Olney isn’t even the top baseball reporter at ESPN anymore. Passan has definitely passed him. If you pay attention to Olney’s “rumors” they’re all speculation that rarely ever come to fruition. When transactions actually happen Olney is rarely, if ever, the first to break the news
Passan might be the best in the baseball biz these days.
Playing players out of position. It’s what Cashman does.
Yeah I can’t believe they continue to run Sanchez out there at catcher
I see what you did there.
Great idea…take a guy with hip issues and put him at the most demanding position in the IF (range wise) and see how that helps the team and his personal performance, especially at the plate.
When you appraise ballplayers primarily on spreadsheet data, irksome things like hip issues needn’t interfere with your analysis.
I have to admit I’ve spent way too much time criticizing Cashman. Maybe I should start giving him some credit and follow his lead….
So tomorrow I’m going to hire somebody I had pegged to be my receptionist and make them my warehouse manager. They should pick up the fork lift in no time. Also going to take my head of sales and going line them up as head of security. Can’t imagine how this could possibly go wrong….
You say that as if any of those jobs require skill or an education lol. Pretty sure anyone can drive a forklift or be a receptionist. If you can head a sales department, why couldn’t you head security? You’re acting like answering a phone and organizing mail or driving a forklift takes more than a couple hours of training lol
While it went right over your head you made half my point. While you probably could train those individuals to be competent changing jobs it would be a complete waste of resources and time nonetheless a gamble in getting industry standard production out of them. Therefore that is why no companies do such a thing. And they don’t take such gambles in fields where, like you implied, anyone could do, so why would someone do it in the MLB where the skill set required is so specific and unique that years of work coupled with god given talent are what set them apart.
Also good job insulting a lot of people here by insinuating they are morons based on any of the jobs they might do that I listed. Glad to know you have a phd and became a cowboy-millionaire-astronaut.
On the contrary I had a job a while back which requires me to drive a forklift. I was also cross trained to cover for the receptionist. My goal was to move up the company ladder so I learned and volunteered for everything I could. It’s actually not uncommon for companies to cross train as much as they can. That way they’re always covered if an employee leaves or gets sick etc ..
I’d love to see Sam Walton’s heirs, all born on third base, try to do the work of their “unskilled” Walmart employees. It would be hilarious to watch one of them drive a forklift through the warehouse wall.
I’m surprised we haven’t heard about the possibility of Oswaldo Cabrera making the team and playing/sharing shortstop duties this year. He’s definitely ready for the jump to the majors and while he’s not a defensive star, he can play SS pretty well. It would also be a great showcase for him as he’s someone who will most likely get traded once Peraza and Volpe are ready. If he holds his own, they could get a nice return for him in a trade.
Cabrera is probably going to assume Tyler Wade’s old role. He should get plenty of playing time off the bench but likely won’t be viewed as anything more than the utility infielder
I agree, Ronk. I was just thinking that he could share SS with Urshela in 2022 while their young kids polish their skills and get ready to take over full time. He definitely feels ready to contribute in some way this coming season and if NY doesn’t want to pay for a free agent, he’s a potential part time solution for them.
If the Yankees do go the stopgap route at SS they’ll probably sign Simmons or trade for IKF. Though I don’t think that’ll be that will be the case. I also have the feeling that one way or another Urshela won’t be on the roster next year
Here is an idea for the Yankees, get a SS to play SS.Cashman thinks he is so damn smart.
Or maybe Cashman is smart. And this leaked rumor is only a way to make it seem like the Yankees are considering options other than Story, Simmons and Ahmed, when really those are the three that they most likely covet.
So stupid to even consider that kind of move. It’s one thing going from SS to 3B but never the other way
I’d love Matt Chapman on the team, but why take easily a top 2 defensive 3rd basemen in the game and move him to shortstop? At that point, you should instead move Urshela to short. Unless they’re planning to get rid of Urshela in a trade, which I don’t necessarily disagree with, it’s a bit mind boggling. to get a fantastic defensive third basemen and play him out of position.
If cashman was willing to play gleyber torres at short then nothing is mind boggling. Gleyber can absolutely rake but his defense destroyed his approach at the plate. I remember when the Yankees actually knew how to build a baseball team. Not this 3 true outcomes lineup who are all designated hitters playing the field.
It is really amazing how much the Yankees have gravitated towards HR or bust players. Stanton, Judge, Gallo, Sanchez, Torres & Voit all have very similar approaches when it comes to hitting and it rubs off on the other players too. Even DJL fell into the trap last year of trying to be more of a slugger than a pure hitter. Same goes for Gardner too. NY has to have a philosophical change in their approach at the plate. It’s going to require personnel changes to truly take hold but the right hitting coach might be able to turn Torres back into an above average hitter vs. a swing for the fences type. The two rookie SS should bring more pure hitting to the team and less strikeouts too. If Hicks can somehow stay healthy this year that will help a little but NY needs to trade some of their sluggers away (Voit, Gallo, Sanchez) and replace them with more contact oriented players if they want to legitimately compete this year. This team strikes out way too much. With the exception of DJL (and maybe Urshela), they really don’t have that guy you want up with two outs and runners in scoring position, only needing a base hit to win. It’s either a HR or an easy out in most cases. Out of them all, Judge is probably the closest to an all around pure hitter with plus power, but even he goes on streaks of HR or bust plate appearances and strikes out too much for someone with his talent. That is a coaching issue if you ask me.
1. The Yankees have new hitting coaches for 2022. However……
2. The Yankees roster is more like the Twins going into 2021 than the Giants going into 2021.
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Their fans actually believe that if they get one good player they’ll be WS contenders. They have no comprehension as to how the younger Rays, Jays, and even Red Sox have passed them. Just self-centered narcissists that think only they’re important.
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I’ve been writing as to what’s going on there for a few years now. But it’s like the old saying…….
“When some see the handwriting on the wall……they think it’s a forgery.”
With the Astros losing Correa, there are a very large number of AL teams including the Yankees that have a chance in 2022 to be World Series contenders. Astros, Rays, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Yankees, White Sox and maybe more. I agree that some of the other teams are younger and look more promising for two or three years from now, but 2022 is an open race.
But there is so much more value in hitting a home run in a blow out. I mean, Boras and his ilk can take those 15 homeruns and .225 batting average and spin those into data driven win/loss numbers while ignoring performances in losses.
Guys that have solid fundamentals, put the ball in play with 2 strikes and move runners with outs in close games get benched every day in favor of the .225/15/40 all or nothing hitter.
Imagine if you will, a player like Ozzie Smith, Tommy Herr, Dave Concepcion, Ryne Sandberg, Mark Grace, Keith Hernandez, Larry Bowa, etc etc etc coming up today. Not a single one of them would ever amount to more than a 25th man in this era. There simply is no stat for guys who are involved in BUILDING a win.
Everyone thinks these guys who hit .225 are so valuable that can pop that occasional home run around 4 other useless at bats. But the reality is that those homers don’t matter a darn bit if the ‘little’ guys aren’t getting on base in front of them.
For some reason, a Gorman Thomas today is considered more valuable at the plate than a Paul Molitor or Robin Yount.
There is just one stat I wish would become more relevant: runs scored in an inning a player advances base runners.
Give me a formula where a hitter is credited for manufacturing runs. This would have to include moving runners with outs. A 3 run homer is 3 for the hitter and a run scored for the guys on base. We can easily see that. But how about the guy who hits behind a runner to move him up who scores on the next single? Or the guy who takes a walk with a runner on first who eventually scores on an error? Or the guy who beats out an infield single with 2 outs to extend an inning that results in 3 more runs being scored?
I think we need to somehow create a stat that shows: runs scored per inning per productive at bat. A stat recognizing where each batter does something that moves a runner to another base that eventually leads to a run scored.
A sacrifice with runners on first and second who both scored should be credited as +2 to batter who sacrificed. He does that twice a game today and he is credited with a two sacrifices. Zero relevance. In my scenario, he would get a +4 for the game, +2 for each at bat. A player who strikes out three times, stranding 3 runners (-3) but hits a solo homerun (+1) would equate to a -2 for the game, or a -.5 per inning. So which player is more valuable? The guy who “failed” to get on base in his two at bats or the guy trotting around the bases who struck out 3 times and left 3 on base in the same 10-5 game?
@jim
About to go out on an Omicron paranoid socially distant bag of bollox called New Years Eve – nearly 7pm UK time – but thanks for that comment, it was brilliant. I get exactly where your coming from – it’s the productive outs, productive gains, extra base taken stuff. I think on a more selective level there will be a bounce back from what has led to TTO.
Runs scored in an inning after Mark Canha gets HBP was a good one as an A’s fan.
Yeah, where’s the gamer stat? Happy New Year…
Oh golly a typo – you’re ^ –
Glayber raked against Baltimore in the rubber ball era.
I heard Bobby Bonilla is in the running too.
Chris Davis is a dark horse candidate
This just in, anyone available at any position has been considered by the Yankees.
How about trading for Dansby Swanson? I’m not a Dansby hater, I love the guy. But if the Braves need to free up some cash to resign Freddie and they’re not gonna extend Swanson, why not move him to the Yankees for one of their SS prospects like Sweeney or Vargas.
Then use Arcia until Shoemake is ready to take over SS.
Atlanta really doesn’t have a viable replacement for Swanson right now (Arcia is not the answer) and neither of the prospects you suggest are anywhere close to major league-ready for 2022. Both need another 1-2+ full seasons in the minors. If Swanson can retain his new found power stroke in 2022 and get his OBP back up in the .350 range then Atlanta may very well look to extend him. That performance could actually make him QO worthy as well. Atlanta made enough money last season to carry his salary in 2022 even if they re-sign Freddie and decide to add a couple of pitchers on top of that. I wouldn’t be surprised if Atlanta gets close to a $200M payroll this year, but does so with a few one year deals that will come off the books in 2023. Why not try to repeat? They get Acuna back this year too which is frightening!
The Atlanta ball club does not need to free up some cash to re-sign Freddie. The question is just are they willing to slightly overpay to retain a team legend who just brought them a world championship.
Do they want to pay for the WS they already won, or do they want to pay for the next one? I just don’t see any 1B being worth $30MM per today.
Yankees love to put defensive corners up the middle. We don’t need no stinkin defense. Or speed. Slow RH power bats only.
At the beginning, I thought Yankees would get Story, Simmons or Ahmed. Nothing has changed.
One of those three is not like the others.
Incoming voit to Oakland rumors lol
This makes me think of on SOSH when someone was pushing hard to resign Adrian Beltre as a starting shortstop, because you can just take a great UZR, move it to a brand new position, and it will be almost as good.
Only the Yankees could trade for Ozzie Smith because they have an opening at first.
You were the smartest kid in your class, weren’t you?
If you squint just a little bit you’ll see that Chapman is just a less consistent Joey Gallo who plays infield
Or gallo is the more consistent Chapman who plays outfield. Depends on what market you live in.
Either way the Yankees would be better with Chapman but they already have too many of these players so they’d only improve marginally.
That’s a bit of a hot take. Chapman might be the best defender in the game.
Exactly.
They’ve lost their minds…..
Come on Farhan trade San hose for Chapman, it’s a win win.
You guys are not seeing this picture clearly. This is the trade Cashman is working on and it involves many many parts.
The Yanks get Andrus, Olsen, and Chapman.
Oakland gets Torres, Andujar, Voit, German, and a very good prospect not named Volpe, Dominguez, Gil, Medina, or Peraza.
Andrus goes to ss as a temporary stop gap, Chapman to third, Olsen to first. This is what you call a blockbuster and Oakland saves money, adds youth, and still contends somewhat.
I like it but the A’s would need to load up more prospects. Oakland doesn’t want just cheap average replacements for guys who were all star level
So Scott Hatteberg wasn’t a thing in Moneyball? A cheap, replacement level guy?
Athletics say NO. They want elite prospects not Torres, no Voit, maybe not German and Adujar and certainly NOT for Olson and Chapman.
Buy a plane ticket for Jasson Dominguez or Olsen is not going to Yankees.
Dodgers can send Cartaya, Miller and Page just for Olson. Braves can send Waters, Harris and Muller just for Olsen. You wanna play with the big boys, Jasson gotta fly.
No way. If Oakland is selling Olsen and Chapman together, even if Andrus is stapled to them, Yanks get outbid instantly with that offer. A’s have no interest in Andujar. Voit they can take or leave (1B of his level are easy to find and he’s 30 already), German is of mild interest only as an innings eater, and he’s 30 too next year. If you want any deal with Olsen and Chapman in it, you have to think huge. No way the Yanks pull it off without Jasson.
That’s an absolutely horrible trade for the A’s.
Thumbs up – keep it minimal and to the point
6 thumbs down, this is comical
I would just trade both of Volpe, Peraza+Torres to the A’s as part of the deal for Chapman, Laureano and Olson. Then go out, and sign Story keeping in mind Stanton and Cole’s contact and a possible massive extension from Judge.
1.LeMahieu 2B
2.Story SS
3.Judge RF
4.Stanton DH
5.Olson 1B
6.Chapman 3B
7.Gallo LF
8.Sánchez C
9.Laureano/Hicks CF
1.Cole
2.Montgomery
3.Cortes
4.Severino
5.King
Solid team on paper!
Oakland probably isn’t packaging those 3 together. Laureano is only 1st year arb eligible and Olson and Chapman are worth more traded separately. That trade with a Story signing would make them impressive though.
@forwhomjoshbellusedtotoll?
Couldn’t agree more. Have said it tirelessly on other threads – the A’s will want high ceiling wholly cost controlled rookie/MLB ready talent – rather than a Luke Voit or an Urshela who wouldn’t be much of a saving.
But if someone could get the prospect haul together to keep the Chapman/Olson partnership together it’d be a chance for others to purr at the tandem we as A’s fans have been enjoying on a daily basis.
Athletics say NO. They want elite prospects not Torres. In 2020 and 2021 combined, Torres is 0.8 WAR.
Buy a plane ticket for Jasson Dominguez or Olsen is not going to Yankees.
Dodgers can send Cartaya, Miller and Page just for Olson. Braves can send Waters, Harris and Muller just for Olsen. You wanna play with the big boys, Jasson gotta fly.
Let’s be fair. How many teams are actually in the market for first base? Atlanta, Boston, the Yankees and maybe Milwaukee? Freeman and Rizzo go to two of the four, which leaves…
I don’t think Chapman and Olsen go together in a deal, either. Charlie Finley doesn’t own the team anymore. Bur, let’s not bury the lede here. Cashman has had someone leak the name Chapman. The last time we got a 3B with a great glove off of a down year was Brosius, who had nearly 100 RBI batting 9th and was the WS MVP. He’s not moving to short if he comes here. I don’t think he is coming here, either.
We all (presumably) know GMs bounce stuff off of each other all the time, to get a feel for each other. Beane and Cashman have lined up plenty in the past. I firmly believe Brian will make a few trades before Spring Training. I also firmly believe one will involve Oakland. For whom? Beats me.
You might be missing the point about Torres….2018 ROY candidate and all star……regardless of his issues this last year which were probably due to playing out of position at SS……maybe so maybe not….but thinking the A’s wouldn’t be willing to trade for a player like him, young, and all upside, especially as Billy is the master at flipping guys at the trade deadline for multiple prospects certainly isn’t off the table……armchair GM’s like us shouldn’t talk about things in the sure fire way…RARELY do we really know what a team would accept in a trade or they wouldn’t.
@rocky7
Torres had an OPS of .724 in 2020. He hasn’t hit well since 2019 when they used a different ball.
Please explain how changing positions leads to going from 38 homers to single digit.
I doubt the Dodgers would give that much up when they have Muncy, Bellinger, Justin Turner, etc. If LA trades for Olson, that bumps Lux/Taylor to the outfield. Seems unlikely. Chapman and moving Turner to DH makes more sense.
Justin’s defense isn’t improving as he gets older.
Either Chapmen and Olson both result in Turner moving to DH. Muncy can play 3B in addition to 1B or 2B. But if Dodgers are going to trade top prospects, they will go all in to get Olson’s bat.
@MannyBeingMVP- if that’s the case then Olson won’t be traded to the Yankees. Jasson Dominguez will not be traded. I think the A’s would have interest in Austin Wells though. Wouldn’t any team out there?
As a *centerpiece*?
I’m literally laughing out loud.
@CCCTL
Why is centerpiece amusing to you?
Because by estimated trade value, Olson is worth 4-5x what Wells is.
Offer the A’s an Olson trade centered around Wells as the primary piece and they’ll hang up and call the Braves … once they stop laughing.
@CCCTL. OH I didn’t realize what you were referring to but I totally agree. An A ball player we never heard of a year ago vs an all star stud hitter who is a gold glove winner. Some of these trade proposals are laughable.
I love the way people say “well just do this …” and present an incomprehensible trade that massively favors their favorites. I don’t think the Yankees could bundle up their whole farm and get all three of those guys together. After a certain point, the A’s just wouldn’t have enough minor league roster spots.
@2for Well of course it’s a solid team on paper when you rob another team of 3 very good players.
Three team trade idea:
Yankees get:
Nimmo from Mets (CF-ish)
DeJong from Cardinals (SS)
Mets get:
Chad Green (RP)
Cardinals get:
Jeff McNeil (2B lefty)
From the Yankees view: Trade an RP for a SS and CF to play every game that Hicks is hurt.
From the Mets view: Trade McNeil for a lockdown reliever to solidify the bullpen.
From the Cards view: Trade DeJong for a lefty hitting 2B/Utility. Maybe Edman/Sosa at SS.
The salaries don’t match up, but it works for all teams.
doesn’t have to be a lefty, if a righty can hit.
I don’t think the Mets would trade McNeill and Nimmo for 1 year of Chad Green. Stl probably would rather keep dejong too. The Yankees could play Nimmo in CF but I’m not sure that’s an ideal fit either
This is a joke, right?
No reason for Mets to part with Nimmo for a 30 year old middle reliever who is a free agent in 2023. They can simply sign free agents Jansen, Chafin or Tapera.
Cardinals could trade DeJong directly to Yankees since dirty birds have Donavan and Gorman coming up soon.
Hella nice trade for the Cards there. As in, lots of value for nothing.
writers, reporters and teams should be held accountable for news releases during the lockout.
Mariners sign Trevor Story
Trade Luke Voit for JP Crawford.
Another joke, right? Mariners love Crawford’s defense and he will be their shortstop. Ty France will be the first baseman. Everyone wants to trade their spare parts for shiny jewels.
Save some time. Yankees sign Story or Simmons. Maybe they get Ahmed. Not Crawford.
@cleanuphitter Sir, I believe you have been smoking some major Hoo-Haw and need to refrain for a spell. Please don’t get behind the wheel tonight.
Yankees would need to give up a lot more than Volt for Crawford. If Volt was any good, Yankees would not be looking to dump him. Add in a couple of good prospects, sure.
Voit has a 132 OPS+ as a major leaguer. That’s quite good. Injuries definitely derailed him in 2021.
Not happening. No one is trading their 3.2 bWAR SS with an injury-prone, defensive liability 1B.
The number of Voit and Torres trade suggestions is starting to rival the old Andujar/Fraziers suggestions.
Los Yankees estan como locos pq Chapman es el mejor 3b defensivo y lo pondras a jugar SS cuando ya Gio que es bueno pero no ha ganado guante de oro. ya dijo q le gustaria jugar en el SS.
Aparte de q Chapman se poncha mucho y bastantes ponchones tenemos.
Raul23:
Raul says: The Yankees are like crazy because Chapman is the best defensive 3b and you will put him to play SS when Gio is good but he has not won the gold glove. He already said that he would like to play for SS. Other than that Chapman strikes out a lot and we have quite a few strikeouts.
Response: This is just an article. Yankees will sign Trevor Story or Andrelton Simmons.
Respuesta: Esto es solo un artículo. Los Yankees firmarán a Trevor Story o Andrelton Simmons.
Or get Nick Ahmed.
O busca a Nick Ahmed.
Clearly if they trade for Chapman they need to convert him to an eephus-throwing bulk reliever.
Is it just me, or is Gio Urshela best conceived and utilized as a utility infielder and not as an every day starter?
Urshela’s offensive profile doesn’t fit that of a typical corner IF; neither does Lemahieu.
Yankees need to do something in the infield. In terms of WAR, their best of last season, Lemahieu (2.4) was nowhere near as good as Atlanta’s worst Swanson (3.2).
Never going deep in the playoffs with that.
Arod. Needs money.
I think Chapman could actually kick it over at SS…..
I wouldn’t take the best 3B glove on the planet off his position but I do think he’d do it well. The Machado experiment at SS wasn’t a good one but he also wasn’t quite the defender that Chappy is.
Bring back Didi. Phils will gladly trade him. Decent enough SS, and I love his lefty bat in the Bronx. Plus, Didi is a great guy who any team would love to have as a key figure in their clubhouse.
@jbigz12
“I think Chapman could actually kick it over at SS…..”
He did watch Semien – “The early years” and Elvis last year. So there’s a fairly good chance. Our beer league soccer team was immense.
In slightly more seriousness, if there’s a 3B out there that I’d be confident could make that move, it’d be Chapman (hip willing). He’s got soft hands, a great range, a great arm and a game brain. But a % of Chapman’s D also goes to Olson because his reach rivals Tyson Fury’s – he can tickle your nose from two blocks away and still stay on the bag.
If you believe any of this story is true you’re probably not too bright. If the Yankees traded for Chapman it would be to play third while Urshela moved to SS. Reporters can say whatever they want but in all reality they are throwing $h1t at the wall and hoping it sticks and in this case it’s Buster throwing the $h1t.
Yankees need to trade Judge. Hes wasted the best years of his career playing for a team that cant make it out of the first round of playoffs. They only make the playoffs as wildcards any way. Trade him to a team that can win. Yankees want DHs at every position. The few decent fielders they have they play them out of position.
LOL
I did the same thing with judge that others do with Trout… I thought it was genius.
LOL
Love these Yankee Homer trade ideas… throw in Greg Bird too. LOL
@BobGibsonFan Its not unique to yankee fans. Fans of ALL teams overvalue their prospects and players and undervalue others. I see it all the time from others.
“Buster Olney of ESPN said the Yankees “have talked a little bit…internally” about the possibility of acquiring A’s third baseman Matt Chapman with an eye towards moving him to shortstop.” – Narrator:”but nobody of any utility to the Yankees decision process has ever casually or facetiously suggested anything remotely as absurd”
And why would the Yankees even leak internal discussions?
Fake story is fake.
LordDgg – I agree with you. This is one rumor MLBTR should not have mentioned, but it draw some attention.
I’m not questioning MLBTR for running it as they are a rumors site and the “news” is from Buster Olney. I suspect even Buster is challenged finding news in these lockout days and went with a sketchy rumor. And, btw, it wouldn’t shock me if the Yankees, or any team, during their organization meetings throw a bunch of stuff on the wall, then do a quick debate, and move on. New intern suggests Chapman at SS, talent evaluators laugh and move on. It’s technically true it was discussed!
Trade Olson to the Padres in a deal for CJ Abrams.
Doubt Preller wants to trade him but the alternative is to move him to the OF anyway.
He’s more valuable at SS.
What happens to Hosmer? DH?
Sign Simmons while the prospects develop. Focusing on getting the big bats they DO have to actually hit consistently.
With all the interest the A’s will get in Matt Olson, I think the Yankees could separate themselves in the sweepstakes by taking on Elvis Andrus with him. Might lower the prospect price for Olson too. Just live with Andrus at SS until the prospects are ready. Olson would be worth it.
You know about Andrus’ desire to play starting SS and his $15M 2023 player option, right?
The one that vests with 550 PA in 2022?
And that he’s not going to waive his No Trade Clause unless it’s guaranteed?
A’s can justifiably bench him for poor defense in July and bring up Nick Allen, avoiding the option vesting. The 1year $7.5M remaining on Andrus’ contract isn’t a huge burden either.
Yeah – you can flip that argument too – NYY would easily be able to go the same way & DFA/bench Elvis with their SS prospects – Volpe and the one who’s name I can’t remember…
I believe it’s Voldemort. I could be mistaken.
I think you’re missing the part where the Yankees have to guarantee they pay him $15M for 2023 to okay the trade, regardless of whether they attempt to DFA.
What could actually work for the Yankees is getting a shortstop to play shortstop.
and ideally one that isn’t a K machine RHB
Why not just move Gio Urshela if they did get him?
I think the Yankees will be serving some Falafel at short in 2022.
I checked to see if maybe he was a SS in the minors, but got pushed to 3B because he was blocked. Nope. Only played about 10 games in the minors. Still possible that he could play SS but still slotted him at 3B in the minors because that’s where they knew they needed him in the majors. He’s a skilled defender. Not impossible he’d be a decent SS, but you really have to question why they’d take the best defensive 3B’man in the league and move him to SS, Urshela is a good defender at 3B, but likely could handle SS as well as Chapman, but neither of them should be plan A. Or even B.
My guess is there’s nothing to this. Not questioning Buster Olney as he’s a legit reporter, but this almost sounds like something a few people in the Yankees front office might have had a quick discussion about before their morning coffee and quickly moved on, and Olney needed something local to talk about when appearing on a NY radio show.
Another right handed home run or strikeout hitter. The Yankees never learn
Put DiMaggio’s grandkid at short!
Which one? There were three pretty good grandparents….
IMO Arenado and Chapman are the best defensive third basemen since Brooks Robinson and given how difficult it is to compare eras and the love we attach to our heros I hate to suggest they could be better than the legend of Robinson but dammit they are both that outstanding.
It’s ludicrous to suggest moving Chapman off of third base.
Oakland As fans want every prospect the Yanks own for two years of control for Olsen. It ain’t happening. The As are selling because they want to strip the salary once again. Nobody is gonna strip away there farm.
I proposed what I thought was a fair trade earlier abs I’ll even alter it somewhat but it would never ever include Volpe, Jasson, Medina, Gil, Welks, Sweeney! We already stripped down our system and in order for kids to develop they need players around them to help them develop!
Yanks send Torres (24yo) Voit, Gio, two top prospects (Peraza, and Cabrera)
Oakland sends Olsen, Chapman, and Elvis with his crap contract!
That is way more than fair, in fact maybe way too much from Yanks perspective especially adding in Peraza!
A’s hang up, Yankees run out a 2022 IF of Voit/Torres/Andujar/Urshela.
@billyssballz It’s very difficult to evaluate trade proposals but kudos for at least proposing one and potentially facing the wrath of fans on both sides.
I do think the reality is Olson is a top 3 first baseman (Freeman Guerrero) in all of baseball though some would argue top 6 including the likes of Goldschmidt ahead of him. Chapman has his offensive struggles but is a damn legend defensively.
Voit, Torres and Urshela are all below league average or close to league average at their respective positions.
The two prospects project well but are of course unproven prospects.
I suspect Oakland would be more interested in a package featuring all or mostly all prospects.
A’s will get another teams top prospect for Olson. If the Yankees don’t offer theirs, they won’t get Olson.
Agreed. Olson already is what we hope Dominguez becomes. You don’t get him at 27 without giving until it hurts.
I see Olson as adding another Judge to your lineup. He brings high level offense and defense and is 3 years younger.
Peraza is the yanks top prospect. I think fans on here are so unrealistic in expectations. I much rather see Olsen stay with Oakland then any team give up more than I proposed. I’m fact to say Torres is average after one down Year where he was played out of position is completely under rating him. Chapman also had terrible offense Year where he was in top 6 strikeouts and makes very little contact. Urshala is not as good defensively but he’s still well above average and provided more offensively.
Not happening. Both Olsen and Chapman are worth at least a #75 prospect +, by themselves.
Secondly, I’d bet real money that the As aren’t interested in guys that are already in arbitration.
Joe I agree with you Billy I think if the Yanks want a realistic chance at getting both Olson and Chapman then a more realistic trade would be Peraza, Dominguez, Voit and Gleyber.
I don’t see the A’s adding a bad contract that is going to lessen the return for Olsen and Chapman. They will get plenty of salary relief by trading those two guys and one or two of their pitchers. I know some Yankee fans will think this is a big overpay but I don’t think so especially when you consider a ton of competition for those two.
If you want them you are going to have to pay up but damn how many homers would Olsen hit in Yankee stadium.
the Yankees need to avoid high K players with their current lineup. having a defensive liability there only works if they’re a great addition as a hitter
Well Yankee fans, would you rather have Al Avila?
Could Manny Machado be a possibility for the Yankees at short?
If the Yanks add either Chapman or Olson they upgrade their team with another star player. The rest doesn’t matter, if they get Chapman he will be either at SS for a year or third.
If they are.just trying to plug the hole defensively, sign Niko Goodrum. Solid, not spectacular, defensively. Has shown some power, switch hitter and superior baserunner, though he ks at an alarming rate. Cheap fill in who can also play CF.
Chapman needs to be traded to a team who will use him properly at 3B . He need to be put back to batting second with a strong bat behind him . He got so out of sorts that putting him lower in the batter order just made all pitchers give him nothing to hit . Chappy will be fine in 2022 teams will pay on way or another .