The Yankees put up a three spot in the bottom of the eighth this afternoon, pulling out a comeback series win over the AL West-leading Rangers. It was a solid weekend that puts New York at 43-35 and in possession of the second Wild Card spot in the American League.
Despite taking two out of three from Texas, the Yanks didn’t do much to quiet concern about their offense. New York scored a combined eight runs and hasn’t topped five runs in a game in nearly two weeks. With Aaron Judge still facing an uncertain timeline after tearing a ligament in his right big toe, the Yankees are trying to find more punch in the lineup.
The offense is struggling essentially 1-9. No team has scored fewer runs since Judge’s last appearance on June 3. Among the biggest problem areas: third base, where the Yankees have gotten a .111/.164/.317 line (not including today’s game) since Judge’s IL stint and a .189/.260/.351 showing on the season overall.
As recently as a few weeks ago, Yankee brass could’ve reasonably attributed that brutal production to injury. Josh Donaldson had an underwhelming first season in the Bronx, but his .222/.308/.374 slash last year was still markedly better than the production they’ve gotten out of the position this season. Donaldson had been limited to five games before suffering a hamstring strain that kept him out of action until June 1. Manager Aaron Boone indicated in late May the Yankees would plug Donaldson back into the everyday lineup upon his return.
They mostly did so, starting him at third or designated hitter for 13 of their first 17 games this month. Donaldson returned from injury with a huge slump, hitting only .128/.208/.447 in 53 plate appearances. An .033 batting average on balls in play obviously isn’t doing him any favors, but he has hit almost no line drives as he tries to get back into form.
Considering those struggles, Donaldson’s status as a regular is now in question. He wasn’t in the lineup for any of the three games against Texas. DJ LeMahieu took a pair of third base starts, while Isiah Kiner-Falefa got the nod in the other contest. Boone stopped short of declaring it a benching, at least publicly. “He’s going to (get consistent playing time),” the skipper told reporters after today’s game (link via Chris Kirschner of the Athletic). “This is just a stretch where I felt like I wanted to give him a couple of days to kind of work through. That was just kind of my decision on that through this little stretch, but I expect him to get consistent at-bats.”
How consistently the former MVP will find himself in the lineup remains to be seen, though the Yankees haven’t had any alternatives forcing their way into the mix. LeMahieu is having his worst year since landing in the Bronx, hitting .230/.286/.387 through 255 trips to the plate. Kiner-Falefa has been spending more time in the outfield this year; he’s not hitting any better than LeMahieu, posting a .239/.275/.358 line. Oswaldo Cabrera has been even worse and has bounced on and off the active roster a few times of late.
Aside from the rest of the primary starters — Anthony Rizzo, Gleyber Torres and Anthony Volpe — the only other infielder on the 40-man roster is Oswald Peraza. The top prospect impressed in a late-season cup of coffee last year but struggled in his limited MLB time in 2023. He’s having an excellent year in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, raking at a .292/.360/.563 clip with 11 homers and steals apiece in 34 games. He’s not walking much but has kept his strikeouts to a tidy 14.9% rate.
Peraza hasn’t played in a week with an undisclosed injury. Conor Foley of the Scranton Times-Tribune reported (on Twitter) yesterday that it’s a minor ailment and Peraza is expected back in the lineup before long. He’s only made seven starts at third base between the majors and Triple-A, but as a well-regarded defensive shortstop, he shouldn’t have much issue handling the hot corner.
One could also make a case for the Yankees to turn to Peraza over Volpe at shortstop. Boone, owner Hal Steinbrenner and GM Brian Cashman have all remained steadfast in their support for Volpe in spite of his tough rookie season. Perhaps third base represents a cleaner path for the 23-year-old Peraza, though there’d be risk in counting on rookies at both left side infield spots.
There’s also the possibility of adding an upgrade from outside the organization. Trade activity doesn’t typically kick off in earnest until mid-late July. The Angels jumped the market for a pair of stopgap veteran infielders over the past few days, so it’s not an impossible task. There aren’t a ton of clear targets for infield-needy teams, however.
Jeimer Candelario is the only impending free agent third baseman who’s performing well on a noncompetitive team. The rental market is similarly bleak at shortstop and second base, so there aren’t any obvious candidates for a post-acquisition position change. Unless the Rockies surprisingly listen to offers on Ryan McMahon this summer, there probably won’t be any marquee trade possibilities at the position.
Where does that leave the front office and coaching staff? Who should get the bulk of the third base playing time at Yankee Stadium?
(poll link for app users)
Jake Burger
Don’t see the appeal in Burger. Ryan McMahon would be my first choice.
Dont really see McMahon being available as he just signed that extension.. Burger could be available.
He’s on a last place team and he’ll turn 29 next year. He’s available, but at what cost? I wouldn’t deal Volpe or Jasson. That said, if McMahon can’t be had, then there’s nothing I’d want. Candelario is great on D, but he’s got too much Statcast Blue for my liking.
Both those players look really good to me, especially if they’re good defensively.
If the Angels can deal now, why on earth can’t the Yankees?????
Burger is horrible defensively. That, and he’s devoid of any plate discipline.
Jake Burger.
Sox fans have basically three players worth watching. Burger is one of them. At least if he’s traded to the nyy I’ll be able to see him play everyday on national TV.
Don’t see the White Sox trading Burger. They’d trade Moncada, if he’s ever healthy, before they trade Burger at this point
You say that as if the Sox wouldn’t trade Moncada in a heartbeat to be done with that contract.
I assume the Yankees would want someone who can provide something near average defense – Burger is out place anywhere other than DH. Not saying the White Sox shouldn’t be willing to trade him, though. People forget he’s old for the amount of experience he has, and because of that age, he wouldn’t be part of the next contending White Sox team (if there ever is one.)
Burger is a pretty bad defender. He doesn’t have a glove so much as a cement block. He does do two things very well though. He strikes out and hits home runs.
Youth gone wild… go with Peraza and see what ya got. Bench JD before the almost inevitable DFA. Keep IKF around for backup/UT duty. Jeimer can be a possible stopgap “solution” but is he worth the cost?
Peraza or DJ for 3b, but they’ll probably stick eith Donaldson. Trading for a stopgap having his best year isn’t smart but Cashman has made alot of questionable moves past few years.
Love a good Skid Row reference.
I like how they say its a “risk” putting two rookies on the left side of the infield. Considering the certainty of what they have to play there as veterans, TAKE THE RISK!
I really doubt the Rockies trade McMahon and his team friendly contract. Pretty much the Rockies best player as well.
I forgot the Rockies have Blackmon still. So I would have to say it’s Blackmon then McMahon as the top players on the Rockies
McMahon is better than Blackmon right now. Kris Bryant is probably the most talented Rockie, but Mack is putting up the best results this year with Elias Diaz a close second.
Nah pass on Burger. It will either be DJ, Peraza or Cabrera, no reason to make a trade for a 3rd baseman like Candlelario.
I can’t wait to see the speculation about how they’ll go after Arenado.
Nah. He plays in Colorado so his power his fake. It’s possible I missed a press release or two about him being traded and then extended by another team but I’m pretty sure that’s true of any player leaving the Rockies.
This just in: Arenado is a Cardinal. More to come…
Sarcasm alert.
You’ve just been trap by the salary cap dude…sorry was about to correct him but I stopped and read his comments again and figure it out. Sorry but Gwinning won’t serve
Nah brah, just doubling down on Salary Cap’s stoic sarcasm. I know he knows his stuff, I just wanted to slow-play the Cardinal news by using MLBTR’s tag-line.
I get it, haha that’s fine…
LOL! I was a little concerned I was burying the sarcasm a bit to much. >=}
You did bury it too deep. But if the reader doesn’t miss it for a least a couple of seconds, then it ineffectual. My favorites are the ones I miss completely, think the author is an idiot, and start laughing two minutes later.
Nolan Arenado would bring great defense, good offense and a spark with his leadership/hustle
And a massive price tag and would cost the Yankees prospects which would have to be pried from Cashman’s cold, dead hands.
Clubhouse leadership isn’t the issue with Judge, Rizzo, and Cole in there A lot of core hitters are under-performing.
Hey Clip! Hope you’re good, man!
I think Arenado would be an ideal fit for the Yankees. Just not sure who the prospects would be going back. Likely would not require Dominguez though, because of all the outfielders already clambering for playtime. St Louis needs pitching pitching and more pitching. Perhaps Randy Vasquez, Will Warren, and Jhony Brito going back to Cards for Arenado?
LOL, the Yankees say Jasson’s untouchable and the Cards hang up.
I only said that because isn’t pitching the greatest need above all else in St Louis? (Besides new leadership in FO & dugout.)
The Cardinals aren’t trading Arenado, period! The NL Central is a weak division, and, call me crazy, but it would not shock me to see St. Louis sitting atop of it by season’s end. Remember this is the same team essentially that reeled off a 17-game winning streak in 2021 to capture the NL Central title.
Do you think you’ll win the lotto a second time because you won it once? I think if you are counting on the Cardinals repeating that effort than you should stay away from Casino’s.
In any event, to the thought of Arenado going to NYY, it’s not easy trading players like him. He is very productive but he is also very well paid. You’ll be bringing in a player being paid over $30 million for the next few years going into his late 30’s. If the Cardinals want much prospect capital, they will have to eat a large chunk of what remains.
The Cardinals wouldn’t need to eat a dime of that contract. Arenado is being paid below what such a player gets on the free agent market and is still an upper echelon player.
Hey, if the Reds can win 12 in-a-row, the Cardinals certainly can. No, I wouldn’t bet on them winning 17 games in a row., or even 12 in a row. But I could see them going on a run where maybe they win something like 15 of 20. A streak like that, especially if they do it while playing some division foes, could put them right back in the hunt..
Check back with me in October after they’ve won the NL Central. Too much talent on that team to continue being stuck in the basement.
The Cardinals aren’t trading Arenado, period!
===========================
Cincy is playing .526. Assuming that is the baseline to win the division, then the Cards have to play .625 the rest of the way.
And Arenado is likely is decline, as are almost all 32 year old players. Rickey Branch said it best, and it hasn’t changed in thousands of years-you’re better off trading a player one year too early than one year too late.
@Joe Brady
We have a discussion coming August 1st. Don’t forget.
I wouldn’t be shocked, but that’s not necessarily the point. For today’s decisions, you have to take into account today’s facts. Basically. what are the chances of the Cards making the playoffs? I put very little stock in how some of the websites report them, but you might want to consider benchmarks.
BR gives them a 2.5% chance. CBSSports has them at 14.2%. For comparison purposes, the RS are listed at 14.1% and 4.5%. I don’t mind the RS staying pat until we have a little more clarity, but I also don’t want them to be stupid about the expectations.
Right now, the RS need about a .600 record the rest of the way to have a reasonable chance. That’s a bit better than the Cards, but it would take much more than two weeks of bad ball for us to be effectively eliminated.
Cashman is right at the cap and will not be bringing in a $30MM contract from anyone. St Louis is not trading Arrenado. He and Goldschmidt are the base of the offense. Don’t even expect them to get Candelario at $11MM prorated without the Nationals picking up part of the tab.
@nottingham. He has an OPS bellow 800 and almost 1 WAR. No, he is absolutely NOT paid bellow market value. He has ONE season with the Cardinals that justifies his 30+ million a year and one that doesn’t and so far not this season he isn’t.
Because trading a bunch of just-about-ready starting pitchers to the A’s for one player worked out so well last year?
Looking at it realistically, can’t be done, because when the updated luxury tax bill is applied to *(a now entering his subprime years) Arenado’s contract, the NYY would be on the hook for $40M+ per year.
Try going to your boss and asking for an extra $40M. I’ll hang up and listen.
Arenado’s actual salary is $109M/4, which is decidedly less than $40M. And the Cards are getting $15M from the Rox largess. That makes it a net cost to the NYY of $23.5M, or about half of the $40M you cited.
The NYY could still balk, or they could increase the prospect haul by having the Cards throw in some cash.
We all know Cashman doesnt have the Cash to add $23.5MM going forward, and isnt willing to deal the prospects it would take.
Possibly, but it depends, as always, on the motivation on both sides. If Cashman is only worried about the 2023 payroll tax, then they could trade Donaldson & Severino for Arenado, or just Donaldson for Arenado, and StL throws in $1-2M. Surprisingly, Donaldson’s and Arenado’s net salaries are almost identical.
If Arenado were to be dealt again, the supplemental payment from COL would disappear. Last tier luxury tax would be another 30 percent…so…
Arenado would not thrive in New York. He has similar shyness issues to Greinke which is why Greinke never went there.
Well, I’ll agree that, with all the media outlets in NYC, being shy probably isn’t an asset. Moot point because, after opting not to opt out of his contract last year, Arenado endeared himself to St. Louis fans. It would be a PR disaster if they traded him now, and especially if they traded him to a big money team like the Yankees, Mets or Dodgers.
Senzel (Reds), Candelaria (Nats) and maybe Segura (Marlins) would be easier gets. Maybe Wilmer Flores (Giants) or JD Davis (Also, Giants) would be available? Not sure SF would be willing to trade either since they are doing much better this year than was expected of them..
Zero chance he gets traded after that extension and the temperature of the cards fanbase.
As a RS fan, I hope that the NYY do trade for Arenado. He is still an excellent player, but it feels like he is at his tipping point. Over the previous 7 seasons, he had a K/W of about 1.5/1. This year, it is almost 3/1. Plus his defense is no longer all-world. And $94M/4 remaining is not huge, but not cheap either.
If I were the NYY, I would just hold onto JD. His 6 HRs in 64 ABs still have value.
I think this is the point of the season where all the crazy trade proposals will come out from commenters who read Fansided and BR.
Go grab Matt Duffy from KC as a back up plan for 3rd. He’s batting 300/375/775. Worst case scenario you have a good bat off the bench. He’s making 1.5 mil this year.
How dare you propose something rational!
With the Orioles calling up Westburg, Gold Glover Ramon Urias may become available. For pitching in return, of course.
Orioles aren’t trading with the Yankees, especially in the middle of a pennant race. Besides, the Yankees have nothing to give but the usual all-star-for-Yankee-crap fan proposals
Stanton…he’d do great…
Carlos Correa from the Twins. The way Royce Lewis is playing tells me that the Twins would consider moving him. The Yankees have been snake bitten by former Twins, but if the Twins ate some of the salary for a higher end prospect it would add to the craziness surrounding his last free agency but could work for both sides.
He is an elite fielder, but is having a down year so far with the bat, but I believe that is coaching related issues with the Twins. All of their signings regressed this year in a similar way.
Royce Lewis is the real deal though and with Brooks Lee ascending fast I suspect the Twins would not mind moving Correa.
Twins are stuck with that contract. There is no way the Yankees are taking on the $190 million still owed to Correa plus giving up the prospects to get him and MLB doesn’t allow massive amounts of money to accompany a player to a new team in a trade since the Arod trade 19 years ago
Detroit will ship Baez to NYY postage paid!
Thank God there’s finally an article about the Yankees. I’ll be hugging my Aaron judge doll hoping upon hope that the yanks beat the A’s in this week’s nationally televised game. I can’t sleep at night because I’m so distressed about the Yankees 3b situation. I missed a wedding this weekend because I just had to stay home waiting breathlessly to see how gentleman Josh Donaldson did against the Rangers. My doctor has given me pills to help me sleep until this issue is resolved.
Can you rub your doll’s toe every night and say a prayer too to the baseball gods? Thanks!
You haven’t figured out how to filter on just the teams you’re interested in? Huh. I could show you, if you want.
Maybe the Reds would give up someone of interest given their array of quality IF rookies; Senzel or Steer spring to mind, probably cost a bit like a decent arm +
Why would the Reds do that? They are in first place right now & building around their young players. They’re not trading Steer or any of their other youngsters. Senzel isn’t a rookie & he plays more outfield than he does infield
ericl;
Senzel came up as a 3B, and was pushed to the OF because the Reds had others that could play 3B. He’s a much better 3B than OF, and has showed it again this year in limited time playing there. It’s his natural position.
The Reds badly need pitching. The Yankees have excess pitching and can afford to give some up for a quality 3B.
This is a valid trade proposal.
The Reds aren’t trading Steer. Maybe they’ll trade Senzel, but they’re not giving up any of their good young players. They’re just starting to build their team. Steer is part of that build.
3B was always inevitable for Senzel, but that doesn’t make a much better player. He had a 64 OPS+ the three previous seasons. He had a few good games earlier this season, but has reverted back to his previous form. And despite only 1,111 ABs, he has only two control years left.
He’s not really good enough for the NYY to give up a lot, And if the NYY don’t offer much, the Reds have no motivation to do anything to break up their momentum.
I voted Josh Donaldson. You buy it; you eat it. I would rather DJ LeMahieu play everyday, somewhere.
Composting has become very popular recently.
The Reds would trade Senzel. Good pick up for the Yankees. Can play OF, 3B and 2B. Most importantly, the cost would be minimum.
I’m not sure about that. He is under control and basically paid nothing for 2.5 more years.
First thing – I did not say Senzel is a rookie. My belief is that Elly, McLain, India and when called upon Encarnacion-Strand may crowd guys like Senzel out or Steer may be viewed by the Reds as a trade chip that can be used to acquire a coveted arm. To be clear, I think the Reds are in a very strong place with this IF group mentioned plus last few months of Votto. Pitching is a need!
Noelvi Marte is coming soon as well, another third baseman, who just got promoted to AAA.(actually SS is his position but looked at largely as best at 3B because of his size).
They should play whoever makes them a worst team.
Or a worse one anyway.
worcestershire
DONALDSON OR DEATH
It’s Stanton, JD, DJL, and Volpe but your point still stands.
Volpe to 3B,Peraza at SS. Do not trade Gleyber. Bader Allen(IL) McKinney Bauers IKF Stanton will get you thru the summer. JD probably gets until the ASG. I’d literally play him every day until then. If he hits,he sticks. If he doesn’t,so long. Calhoun is a nice player on the wrong team.(I know he’s out as well). For God Sake if Bader goes down please bring up Florial to play CF. No joke IKF cost the Yanks two games the last two weeks.
To be fair to IKF, he’s been overused for a utility player due to circumstances.
IMHO, the NYY screwed this up every way. I don’t think either Volpe or Peraza should’ve been with them on OD. IKF should’ve had the SS job. And while Volpe has a higher ceiling than Peraza, I think Peraza is more ML ready at this point. And I am not sure why Volpe is the designated SS. It feels like Peraza has a better glove.
I love both Volpe & Peraza as prospects, but it feels like the NYY are forcing Volpe into SS because they want the next Jeter.
So now you have a weak-hitting GG SS spending most of his time in the OF.
Volpe needs time to take his lumps. He hits mistakes just fine but every pitcher is throwing him high fastballs and breaking balls low and away which he struggles with. MLB pitch recognition will come to him with time.
dave frost nhlpa;
I was thinking about Florial recently……
The young man is hitting: .288 / .379 / .598 / .977 in AAA this year. Last year he hit .283 / .368 / .481 / .850. He’s already proven he can play a ML CF defensively.
I’m the first to say that minor league stats can be deceptive, as there are often things the organization wants a player to work on. But the fact is this…..
The Hal Cashman regime has point-blank ruined young players the past few years. They demand who knows what out of some players, and make excuses for guys like Volpe that they seem to like when the kid can’t hit .200 at the ML level during a pennant race, yet they have 2 guys in AAA that can field the (defense first) SS position better than him, and appear to be hitting as well.
Lots of ML teams need defensive CF’s. Florial is now 25 years-old and long ago did what he needs to do in the minors. I don’t know what the Yankee FO has against this young man, but if they have no intention of calling the man up then trade him for something they can use and give him a chance to play in the majors with another organization.
Jasson Domínguez seems to be their CF of the near future anyway.
For once the Yankees need to to do something different and show a little class and decency towards their young players. I’m not aware of any ML organization that treats – and often times ruins – young players as the Yankees do.
make excuses for guys like Volpe
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I said this at the start of the season. Volpe’s AAA stats projected to 202 Ks/600 ABs, with almost a 4/1 K/W. That is not ML-ready. And he only just turned 22. They could’ve easily have played in AAA for another full year.
This is going to sound race-tinged, but it is really marketing-tinged. I believe that if Volpe was Latino, and Peraza was white, Peraza would’ve gotten the promotion. I think the NYY were overwhelmed with wanting to showcase Jeter’s replacement.
I can’t think of any other reason for the quick promotion. I loved him as a prospect, but promoting him, and wasting a year of service time, based on his AAA results, just makes no sense any other way.
Volpe has the Italian heritage going for him, and the Italian-American community in the greater NYC area has a pronounced historical track record with the Yanks…Torre, DiMaggio, uh…Sal Maglie? But the Hispanic-American contingent is likely greater and will only gain more traction in the future so not going with Peraza may be a losing bet both on the field & when catering to certain fanbases.
Don’t forget Phil Rizzuto, Joe Pepitone and Rick Cerrone.
Calhoun is trash. No fielding ability and a poor attitude.
Plus, Calhoun has the shortest legs that ever took a New York stride since Martin Van Buren.
He’s the only guy I know who wears Bermuda slacks.
Volpe’s arm won’t play at 3B.
Gasu1;
LOL
If a guys arm won’t play at 3B, it surely doesn’t play at SS?
It does seem like he makes max effort throws most of the time.
Donaldson is 6-48 in the month of June and only seems to hit solo HR’s when he does actually get a hit. The “bringer of rain” is at the end of the line but the Yankees at this point need (reasonably) healthy bodies and will probably stick it with him at least til the All Star break
They don’t really have a choice. No single trade is going to move the needle with this offense. And we all know Hal isn’t going over the next tax threshold which the payroll is currently breathing on to facilitate one.
Donaldson hits solo HRs because nobody else gets on base. He’s not good; but if he played at least year’s level, which was not good, he’d still be better than whatever else they have right now.
Pretty much my point as well. I’d bet on an 85 OPS+ or better, while playing league-average defense or better. That’s a bad bet for his salary, but it is also the opening benchmark for anyone replacing him. There is no reason to pay to replace him unless it is for a materially better player.
Most of the guys mentioned in these conversations aren’t much of an upgrade.
Ah, but they are an upgrade!
It doesn’t matter..we are not a championship team..not going anywhere..
The Rockies are not trading Ryan McMahon. Yankees will dumpster dive among Paul De Jong, Patrick Wisdom, Jeimer Candalario, Longorio.
Or maybe even Jean Segura
What’s Mike Pagliarulo up2 these days, couldnt hurt
Hanging with Luis Sojo.
Scott Brosius. A youthful 56yo and thrives under pressure.
Geno Suarez from Seattle. For the right price, he could be had.
The Mariners have nobody to replace Suarez so that ain’t gonna work professor
The Yanks should offer the Cardinals the world for either Jordan Walker or Nolan Gorman.
Cards arent going to want to part with either of them but are desperate for elite pitching
And the clubs do good business regularly
Gorman maybe, but Walker is going nowhere.
The “world” might not be enough for Jordon Walker. Pie in the sky wish IMHO. Gorman is more likely. Had a nice hot streak early but is batting around .200 since. Still, his LH bat at Yankee Stadium would look good.
Drafted as a 3B but moved to 2B because of you-know-who.
Rodon+50m for Gorman. Who hangs up?
Nobody because the phone call would never be placed.
@RobblyDobbs
Teams do not sell players with 4 years of control or more at the dead line. They sell players with less than 2 years of control. Keep to that rule and people may take your proposal seriously.
Thank you for your most excellent advice which i shall bear in mind.
Remember one thing through all these horrendous contracts and acquisitions…Hal Steinbrenner is the problem.
Sure Brian Cashman is a complete moron, always has been, since the days of Gene. Cash was always seen as a GM who bought players and could never build a dynasty like his predecessor and he has been exposing this to be true through his eager attempts to rid that monkey off his back.
None the less, the owner hired the GM. The buffoon of an owner thinks that since he spends over a quarter of a million dollars on players per year that that should equate to rings. He is either truly the dumbest owner of anything or he knows he can continue to swindle the sheep into believing he truly cares.
Spending money vs spending money wisely are two entirely different things. Hal either honestly doesn’t understand this or he really does, but knows the fanbase does not and will continue to buy he broken product as long as he gives you his sales shtick.
It’s obvious that the player agents are bypassing Brian Cashman and going straight to Hal Steinbrenner.
I think the biggest crime is that Cashman still has a job. He has been terrible for a while now. Maybe he could trade for Aaron Hicks. 🙂
Let’s be honest the Yankees overall have had issues for a good 15 years now. They are the kings of signing or trading for players who are past there prime. Paying for guys previous production has been there downfall. Donaldson is 37 and has drastically fallen off the face of the earth. I like Burger as an option however as an organization they need to get younger via trades or begin drafting/developing talent better. Look at the top of there division, no one does it better than TB and they have a small payroll. Seems like the yanks can’t win unless they drop 400 mill in an offseason (09). That’s the major issue here, not just 3B
This isn’t a monumentally important issue because the Yankees are no where near a championship quality (or even playoff quality) team. The Donaldson trade was terrible, but to put all the blame on him misses the point. Their youth needs playing time to see whether they are good enough. Volpe probably needs time in the minors. And guys getting paid eight figures need to perform at some level of competence. I don’t care what they do with Donaldson, play him or not. Change the mindset that spends $30M per year for a guy who hasn’t pitched once…or trades for someone washed up, or has no patience with a player who shows promise, slumps a bit, and then gets shipped out. I’ve watched some terrible Yankee teams, but this group…..including Boone and Cashman….ugh
The Yankees and Cardinals are in similar positions. They have stuck with outdated franchise models for as long as possible and while their resources have allowed them to mask the issues for a while it is clear the game has passed both teams by.
Look at the history of these two teams, and you might decide, at least for now, that this is just an outlier. One year does not a trend make.
This is easy: I Don’t Know.
The Yankees model is and has been since George passed, to make the playoffs which corporately means they are making money…..this seems to be the absolute priority for Hal which creates the marching orders for Cash and his group……..I still say the Stanton trade was the absolute worst move that the Yankees have made……moving him, to a Calif based team (maybe the Padres or Anaheim) would and should be a priority. It will cause pain because they will have to kick in loads of money and top prospects but unless you re-set this player issue nothing in the next 5-7 years is going to get better with this guy and his affect on the team.
Beyond, the Yankees need to be more concerned with signing players to longer term contracts coming off their best years…trust their system and bring up their kids and if necessary miss the playoffs a couple of years to straighten out the organization and its player stock…..I could go on but .just my thoughts.
@ rocky7
two questions for you.
1. Why do you feel it has to be a team in CA?
2. Why would any GM trade for Stanton.s contract? He doesn’t hit as a DH, and he gets injured when in the OF.
Jeimer Candelario would be a foolhardy way to go, he is playing above his skill level right now and Yankees continually get burned on that
I don’t know why you would say that Candelario is playing above his skill level.. He’s hitting almost exactly the same line that he posted in 2020 and 2021. He clearly had a down year in 2022 and was written off, but it’s not like he’s riding a crazy BABIP or anything.
I bet the Os would trade Urias for some young pitching. He won a gold glove there last season and he’s not yet arb eligible. Not much of a slugger but he can hit
Newman or Senzel?
Ke’Byran Hayes lol
Boone to play 3er base, Cashman short stop and Staimbrainer center field
Would love to send you Rendon..
He is Cashman’s kinda guy. A former all-star that isn’t any longer, often injured and making a lot of money.
So you’re saying there is a chance??
Rendon would not only bring his always-injured status to an always-injured roster, he would also provide the half-awake, jog-to-first-on-all-grounders effort that the Yankees haven’t seen since Robinson Cano. . . who is also very available, now that I think about it.
So is Brett Gardner and let’s move IKF to 3B 🙂
Nick Senzel could use a new home
Chase Headley redux
Yankees can have Patrick Wisdom if they are so inclined.
If the Red Sox injuries keep piling up and their lack of depth continues to keep them inconsistent removing all hope for even a sniff of the 3rd WC trading Turner and Paxton to the Yankees is something that might intrigue Bloom – he couldn’t care less about div rivalries etc –
That DJ LeMahieu contract is really a ticking time bomb.
Hard to feel badly about the plight of the yankees or the mets. Everyone knows older players make for bad contract risks. Buyer’s remorse in the bronx, buyer’s remorse in Queens.
I could see them thinking out of the box a bit and making a low-cost trade with the Twins for a guy like Jose Miranda, to see if a change of scenery helps him regain some of his sparkle. The Twins and the Yankees have been able to strike up deals in the past, and Miranda is just simply sitting in AAA, as the Twins have fully committed to Royce Lewis. This wouldn’t require them to give up much, much like if they traded for Candelario. Miranda, however, give a couple more years of control plus options.
To all the people saying the Yankees trade for Arenado. You’re smoking rocks. Even with the Cardinals’ struggles, nobody really views them as hitting fire sale mode. The haul they would need to get for Arenado just wouldn’t be possible for the Yankees at this point in time, with their current farm system.
They should give Torres a shot at 3B, install Peraza at SS and move Volpe to 2B. That gives their best defender at SS and something other than sucking to think about for Volpe.
The Twins offer you Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, Max Kepler, Jorge Polonco and the long awaited return of Joey Gallo for a package of prospects and a bag of balls.
The Twins offer you Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, Jorge Polonco, Max Kepler and the long waited return of Joey Gallo for a package of prospects and a bag of balls.
Wouldn’t be cheap to get but Atlanta would probably listen on Vaughn Grissom for the right return
Yankees farm has a answer: Jesús Bastidas or Andrés Chaparro.
I’ve been watching DJ LeMahieu throughout this season and am speculating he’ll be traded. His AB performances are embarrassing; he reminds me of Brett Gardner.
Have you been watching his pay stubs? His contract is untradeable unless for another bad contract.
I think another lengthy meeting with Boone should resolve the issue. Hang in there as long as you have to JD – at some point you’re gonna convince the skipper that you don’t actually suck.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Yankees missed the playoffs altogether this year. They are actually quite lucky to have a winning record at all running some of the guys out there they have been.
Roger Dorn…..
Yankees should make a run at Nolan Arenado before the trade deadline. The Cards are in transition to younger players and have Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman ready to play 3rd base. They may have to give up pitching but it’s going to get crowded when Rodol and Montas return. They have Brito, Schmidt and German too.
Cut Donaldson and let the O’s sign him.
Could have solved this problem had they jumped in the short stop market over the last two free agencies, but instead we were told that Cashman and Hal both believed that a late 30 year old Donaldson would return to glory.
We got the same song and dance about Gallo and hicks even though the fans knew they were garbage.
All smoke and mirrors to keep you buying tickets.
At this point Boone should just pull a Roger Dorn at the next team meeting and announce he has activated himself to play 3rd. His production can’t be any worse than they have been getting. Plus it’s been a long time since (I think Pete Rose) MLB has had a player/manager.
One 3B that should be mentioned is Eugenio Suarez. He’s great on D, swings a good bat and does a solid job drawing walks. The Mariners aren’t that good and Suarez’s contract isn’t bad (1.5 years of control, 2.5 if he does well and the Yankees pick up his 2025 team option – $15mil or $2mil buyout). If the price is reasonable and if they can shed some salary to remain under the next tax line, this could be a great deal for the Yankees.
The Reds are DFA’ing Wil Myers, who can play 1st, 3rd, and OF.. I’m not saying he’s the long term answer, but might be a handy guy and a veteran to have around, while these “warriors” heal and get the heck back onto the field.