2018 Yankees Offseason Discussion

[bankshot1]

Maybe if Boone struggles, Cashman can bring back Showalter.

Rehiring Girardi (who I thought did a good job and like Showalter probably did not deserve to get canned) could continue another Yankee tradition of rehiring WS managers who never again won a World Series for the Yankees. (Houk, Berra, Martin, Lemon).

 

[bankshot1]

So Showalter, untainted, might be the curse breaker.

 

[terrynever]

Maybe if Boone struggles, Cashman can bring back Showalter.

Rehiring Girardi (who I thought did a good job and like Showalter probably did not deserve to get canned) could continue another Yankee tradition of rehiring WS managers who never again won a World Series for the Yankees. (Houk, Berra, Martin, Lemon).

Small quibble. Yogi never won a WS as manager. But he did win 10 as a player. 10!

 

[bankshot1]

Yogi managed and lost the '64 WS. He was the exception to the other managerial rehires mentioned, who won WS as managers.

 

[terrynever]

Yogi managed and lost the '64 WS. He was the exception to the other managerial rehires mentioned, who won WS as managers.

Thanks for the news about Yogi in 1964.

 

[bankshot1]

You're welcome.

I was just having some fun with Jon's mention of Yankee managerial tradition.

 

[jon abbey]

 

[hbk72777]

Small quibble. Yogi never won a WS as manager. But he did win 10 as a player. 10!

I was reading the wiki on World Series titles, and never realized Joe D won 9 (in only 13 years). I knew he won a lot, but always thought it was 7 for some reason.
Berra's 10 always gets mentioned in every bio, but not Dimaggio's rings.

Put me down for a 'yes' on bringing back Buck. I'd take Lou back too.

 

[jon abbey]

Let's go right to Lasorda, he's only 91.

 

[hbk72777]

Let's go right to Lasorda, he's only 91.

If he can bring it, though I might go a little younger and get Roger Craig instead

 

[Big John]

I'd be down for Buck Showalter, 3-time AL manager of the year. He helped build the teams that won four in a row, but Steinbrenner fired him before he could win a title.

 

[EvilEmpire]

I liked both Girardi and Showalter. I'm not in a hurry to fire Boone, but I'd be happy with either of them if he was. Prefer Girardi more than Showalter. I don't think Cashman would seriously consider either of them though.

 

[jon abbey]

Yeah, I don’t either. I think the concept of a younger manager a la Hinch or Cora was good, but the selection of Boone as that guy was flawed.

 

[Big John]

If Boone learned from his mistakes, he might not be too bad going forward.

 

[jon abbey]

If Boone learned from his mistakes, he might not be too bad going forward.

I mean, it's possible, but he didn't seem to learn anything over the course of last season.

 

[Big John]

Yeah, I'm probably guilty of wishful thinking.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

Morosi reporting that Brewers have taken lead in Sonny Gray talks replacing Reds

 

[jon abbey]

https://twitter.com/DanClarkSports/status/1078756564100509696

Verified account 3m3 minutes ago
Have heard that the #Yankees, #Phillies, and #WhiteSox have all made their final offers to Manny Machado, and it is indeed New York where he’ll be heading. Announcement expected early-January.

 

[Brand Name]

What do you do with Andujar if this is true? I know you're just the messenger, but Clark has a mixed track record reporting Orioles news, but for the purposes of the discussion, assuming it's true:

Would this be a precursor to a larger Gray deal with other teams (Milwuakee?) and names (Florial?) for an a #2-3 SP? I've heard others say they just easily move Andujar to first with because of inevitable and existing injuries, but I'm not sure Cashman would be so vanilla.

 

[jon abbey]

What do you do with Andujar if this is true? I know you're just the messenger, but Clark has a mixed track record reporting Orioles news, but for the purposes of the discussion, assuming it's true:

Would this be a precursor to a larger Gray deal with other teams (Milwuakee?) and names (Florial?) for an a #2-3 SP? I've heard others say they just easily move Andujar to first with because of inevitable and existing injuries, but I'm not sure Cashman would be so vanilla.

Well, keep in mind that Didi is out for the first half of the year, so Machado slots into SS at least temporarily. If it's me, I sign a defensive SS like Galvis or Iglesias or Hechavarria, move Machado to 3B, Andujar to primary DH, and Stanton to LF, that makes the left side of the infield defense much much better for a rotation with three lefties. I could see NY trying to give Andujar another few months at 3B until Didi is back, but IMO it is a waste of time as I don't think you can develop reaction time which is his biggest flaw (there are others, but that's the biggest).

Also Luke Voit deserves at the very least a chance to keep the 1B job with a solid spring training, Andujar has never played 1B before. He actually might be better in LF and then you could leave Stanton at DH, but Stanton had good defensive numbers last year too.

Now if you deal Andujar, Clint Frazier pops into the picture for LF/DH, which is why Andujar is likely available as I don't think Clint is much of a downgrade (assuming his concussion issues are behind him, which reports say they are but who knows with that).

 

[EvilEmpire]

I've heard others say they just easily move Andujar to first with because of inevitable and existing injuries, but I'm not sure Cashman would be so vanilla.

If they don't deal him for a quality pitcher, I'd love for the Yankees to give Andujar time at 1B and LF to see if he can be adequate at those positions. Even if he isn't good enough to hold down those jobs full time, having him as primary DH with the ability to fill in occasionally would be nice.

 

[Big John]

Unless Bird shocks us all, a Machado signing leaves NY with only two left handed bats in the every day lineup-- and until Didi gets back, it's only one-- Hicks-- and he has been injury prone. And if they deal Florial, that's one less blue chip prospect who bats from the left side.

 

[jon abbey]

Unless Bird shocks us all, a Machado signing leaves NY with only two left handed bats in the every day lineup-- and until Didi gets back, it's only one-- Hicks-- and he has been injury prone. And if they deal Florial, that's one less blue chip prospect who bats from the left side.

I don't think they're dealing Florial, but does this L/R thing really matter? Both BOS and HOU are very right-handed also, and NY's mostly RH lineup last year broke the alltime HR record. The more sophisticated defensive shifts in recent years has made it harder on many/most LHH, and NY's RHH's all do just fine against RHP. In fact, it's funny to see people arguing for Harper over Machado based solely on the side of the plate they hit from, when they were close to identical against RHP last season.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

In fact, it's funny to see people arguing for Harper over Machado based solely on the side of the plate they hit from, when they were close to identical against RHP last season.

Isn't this more because of the dimensions of the ballpark?

 

[jon abbey]

Isn't this more because of the dimensions of the ballpark?

Right, but in a way that almost hurts LHH because between the shifts and the small RF, the chances of a non-HR hit to RF are very small, it's all or nothing.

 

[Big John]

LF is bigger at the stadium, but shifts go both ways, yes? I agree that having a balanced lineup is less important now that the game is all walks, strikeouts and home runs, but the lack of balance has to hurt against the Eovaldis of the world-- never mind the Verlanders.

 

[Murderer's Crow]

LF is bigger at the stadium, but shifts go both ways, yes? I agree that having a balanced lineup is less important now that the game is all walks, strikeouts and home runs, but the lack of balance has to hurt against the Eovaldis of the world-- never mind the Verlanders.

If, and it's genuinely a big if, it matters that we are short a LHH, it's a short term problem. When you are signing a player for 8-10 years, you don't pass on him because the current state of the lineup is a little lopsided.

 

[jon abbey]

LF is bigger at the stadium, but shifts go both ways, yes? I agree that having a balanced lineup is less important now that the game is all walks, strikeouts and home runs, but the lack of balance has to hurt against the Eovaldis of the world-- never mind the Verlanders.

Verlander was better against LHB last year, .583 OPS, .617 against RHB. Eovaldi was much better against RHB, though.

 

[Minneapolis Millers]

Re lineup handedness, you want good hitters foremost, but balance if you can get it. You don’t want to make it easier for teams to pitch to you.

Also, as a minor quibble, Boston’s not overly RH. When healthy, they have Beni, Devers, Bradley and Moreland as starters, plus 2 catchers who can bat LH (I said bat, not hit!), plus super sub BROCKHOLT.

 

[DeadlySplitter]

I don't think they're dealing Florial, but does this L/R thing really matter? Both BOS and HOU are very right-handed also, and NY's mostly RH lineup last year broke the alltime HR record. The more sophisticated defensive shifts in recent years has made it harder on many/most LHH, and NY's RHH's all do just fine against RHP. In fact, it's funny to see people arguing for Harper over Machado based solely on the side of the plate they hit from, when they were close to identical against RHP last season.

most of this perception is probably coming from Eovaldi neutralizing the RHs. good old [postseason] SSS.

 

[jon abbey]

Re lineup handedness, you want good hitters foremost, but balance if you can get it. You don’t want to make it easier for teams to pitch to you.

Also, as a minor quibble, Boston’s not overly RH. When healthy, they have Beni, Devers, Bradley and Moreland as starters, plus 2 catchers who can bat LH (I said bat, not hit!), plus super sub BROCKHOLT.

Yeah, I was distracted with work during a lot of this year's postseason, so I didn't see too much of Devers and Bradley waking up late in the season, hence my somewhat mistaken perception. If those two are hitting, they are definitely a lot more balanced.

 

[jon abbey]

most of this perception is probably coming from Eovaldi neutralizing the RHs. good old [postseason] SSS.

He shut NY down twice in August/September also, the first was with a very diminished lineup but still. He will be huge in this rivalry again next year especially because I think this set of NY personnel will always crush Price.

If NY does want some L/R balance, it might be back to Scooter Gennett if they can get him for Gray and a prospect or two.

 

[Wingack]

Seems like a few folks out there are saying Machado to the Yankees is done and will be announced after the new year.

None of the guys we deem most credible though.

 

[StuckOnYouk]

I mean Machado has telegraphed he’s going to NY for awhile.
The only question now is how much and for how long

 

[StuckOnYouk]

I’m guessing 8 years 28 mil per
Maybe he gets NY to throw in a 9th year vesting option?

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

This offseason is driving me crazy. I just want the dominoes to fall no matter where they lie.

 

[jon abbey]

I'm finding it very fun if a bit draining, but also I feel like Cashman is controlling a lot of the market and the more guys who come off the board before NY makes their moves, the harder it will be for other teams to react. Mostly this means Boston and relievers, very curious to see what DD does if the top four guys (Kimbrel, Ottavino, Britton, Robertson) all are out of his price range and go elsewhere.

A reminder of where NY stands financially while we wait on Manny...

Not counting Gray, they are around $186M currently. Add $28M for Machado, minimum for Tulowitzki (this seems like a perfect fit all around) and $25-30M for Ottavino/Britton and the team is set while still being a bit below the top tax line of $246M. BOS is around $240M currently (correct me if I'm wrong) and still presumably adding one or two relievers.

 

[NYCSox]

I'm finding it very fun if a bit draining, but also I feel like Cashman is controlling a lot of the market and the more guys who come off the board before NY makes their moves, the harder it will be for other teams to react. Mostly this means Boston and relievers, very curious to see what DD does if the top four guys (Kimbrel, Ottavino, Britton, Robertson) all are out of his price range and go elsewhere.

A reminder of where NY stands financially while we wait on Manny...

Not counting Gray, they are around $186M currently. Add $28M for Machado, minimum for Tulowitzki (this seems like a perfect fit all around) and $25-30M for Ottavino/Britton and the team is set while still being a bit below the top tax line of $246M. BOS is around $240M currently (correct me if I'm wrong) and still presumably adding one or two relievers.

Assuming the arb numbers come out where Cot's expects that's about right. Of course that's subject to change.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Machado is such a dillweed that I suspect a 1201 social media video with the three caps in front of him, from which he'll put on the one of his choice and say "Happy New year"

 

[jon abbey]

I’m hoping he shows up in Times Square tonight with a Yankee hat.

 

[bankshot1]

Show-up?

When the ball drops at 12:00 it won't read "2019"

but "

"Machado"

and then he'll take out Anderson Cooper's knee.

 

[edoug]

Show-up?

When the ball drops at 12:00 it won't read "2019"

but "

"Machado"

He'll still swing and miss it.

 

[jon abbey]

Twitter is all abuzz because Machado just started following YES on Instagram:

 

[jon abbey]

OK, I am slightly less embarrassed for posting that because Heyman just did too.

 

[jon abbey]

Heh, and now he unfollowed YES. I am so glad I left the journalism world 20 years ago.

 

[snowmanny]

You’re less embarrassed by something you did because you found out that Jon Heyman did the same thing.

 

[jon abbey]

You’re less embarrassed by something you did because you found out that Jon Heyman did the same thing.

He is a Boras mouthpiece but he is an actual reporter too with some standards. And I said "slightly less"...

 

[jon abbey]

I have never paid too much attention to the Times Square silliness so I forgot that they play 'New York, New York' right after midnight. Assuming Machado to NY is set (I am guessing they are working on details and Lozano told him to unclick his Instagram, heh), it would have been an alltime amazing reveal to have him show up in Times Square with a Yankee hat on while 'New York, New York' played. I mean, "I'll make a brand new start of it in old New York"? Ah well.

 

[simplicio]

Given the lack of actual New Yorkers in Times Square on NYE and the televised broadcast being run by a bunch of LA celebrities, I'd think it would be an odd venue?

I guess the sanitation crews might be pretty excited about it though.

 

[jon abbey]

Given the lack of actual New Yorkers in Times Square on NYE and the televised broadcast being run by a bunch of LA celebrities, I'd think it would be an odd venue?

I guess the sanitation crews might be pretty excited about it though.

I mean, that’s all true, but with the alternative being Jack Curry or another writer breaking it on Twitter, this just seems way way better. Moot point now though...