Eh, maybe, like most things, we only know part of the story.
FWIW Cashman said right after that:
"But I know that when he’s right and healthy, other than this past year, the guy’s a great hitter and has been for a long time."
2023-24 Yankees Offseason Discussion
- Thread starter jon abbey
- Start date
FWIW Cashman said right after that:
"But I know that when he’s right and healthy, other than this past year, the guy’s a great hitter and has been for a long time."
I'll take candid Cashman every day all day even when it is inconvenient. Good fodder for the media though.
I wonder how hard it would be to move Stanton and what a deal would look like.
I wonder how hard it would be to move Stanton and what a deal would look like.
I do like the theoretical idea of moving Stanton and letting Gleyber be the primary DH, although not sure how thrilled Gleyber would be about that in his FA year.
If the Yankees are willing to trade for a big lefty bat like Soto, I'd like to see them move on from both.
If Cashman wants to and is allowed to go crazy, go hard for Soto, Bellinger and Yamamoto.
I think Soto would be a disaster playing Yankee Stadium LF regularly, but he could probably play it on the road well enough with some ABs at home in RF when Judge needs rest/DH. But I think the defense is suspect enough that Soto might get a few DH ABs too.
Of course I think it is more likely that they miss out on Yamamoto, don't trade for a big bat, and instead pay healthy premiums for Bellinger and maybe Hader or a lesser tier SP. And keep Stanton and trade Gleyber.
I'll be happy enough if they can at least get Bellinger and make a smaller move or two.
If Cashman wants to and is allowed to go crazy, go hard for Soto, Bellinger and Yamamoto.
I think Soto would be a disaster playing Yankee Stadium LF regularly, but he could probably play it on the road well enough with some ABs at home in RF when Judge needs rest/DH. But I think the defense is suspect enough that Soto might get a few DH ABs too.
Of course I think it is more likely that they miss out on Yamamoto, don't trade for a big bat, and instead pay healthy premiums for Bellinger and maybe Hader or a lesser tier SP. And keep Stanton and trade Gleyber.
I'll be happy enough if they can at least get Bellinger and make a smaller move or two.
And as I typed…
View: https://twitter.com/yankeespr/status/1724560546370932922?s=12
“Today, the Yankees added RHP Clayton Beeter and C Agustin Ramírez to the 40-man roster.”
View: https://twitter.com/yankeespr/status/1724560546370932922?s=12
“Today, the Yankees added RHP Clayton Beeter and C Agustin Ramírez to the 40-man roster.”
So not only do NY now have six Cs on the 40 man, they also have Ben Rice (not rule 5 eligible yet) who destroyed AA in the second half last year and who can play C as well as 1B. It's not looking good for Higgy to stick around much longer, Rortvedt or Narvaez probably will go too.
Yup. Maybe not to the level of Ellsbury, but if the Yankees pay what it takes to land him, chances are higher than I'd like.
But I'd still rather see them take the risk for a disastrous deal that at least fills a clear need than muck around excessively on the margins. I do wish Cashman had listened to you last year and gotten Bellinger then.
Hahaha, this is almost certainly the agent backing down a bit as to the ramifications of his earlier statement, via mouthpiece Martino:
"Joel Wolfe, a respected agent, made a comment to the Athletic today in response to Brian Cashman’s earlier comment about Giancarlo Stanton. Wolfe also represents Yamamoto, but on no planet does one impact the other. Wolfe just doing his job as an advocate for another client."
View: https://twitter.com/martinonyc/status/1724599741512581435
"Joel Wolfe, a respected agent, made a comment to the Athletic today in response to Brian Cashman’s earlier comment about Giancarlo Stanton. Wolfe also represents Yamamoto, but on no planet does one impact the other. Wolfe just doing his job as an advocate for another client."
View: https://twitter.com/martinonyc/status/1724599741512581435
View: https://twitter.com/MLBDeadlineNews/status/1724922420815917278?s=20
Plus, it may be a top option for him.
Plus, it may be a top option for him.
You could go right to the Martino piece, it is free and has additional info (including a second attempted fix from Stanton's agent via Martino in the past day for his back atcha statement at Cashman):
"Yamamoto is intrigued by the prestige and iconography of the Yankees, according to league sources, making that team a very strong contender for his services. And, of course, is coveted by many other MLB teams."
"Speaking of the Yankees, a person close to Yamamoto said that the pitcher was not even aware of the recent dustup between GM Brian Cashman and agent Joel Wolfe, who represents Yamamoto."
https://sny.tv/articles/yankees-mets-target-yoshinobu-yamamoto-posted-any-day-where-teams-stand
"Yamamoto is intrigued by the prestige and iconography of the Yankees, according to league sources, making that team a very strong contender for his services. And, of course, is coveted by many other MLB teams."
"Speaking of the Yankees, a person close to Yamamoto said that the pitcher was not even aware of the recent dustup between GM Brian Cashman and agent Joel Wolfe, who represents Yamamoto."
https://sny.tv/articles/yankees-mets-target-yoshinobu-yamamoto-posted-any-day-where-teams-stand
"League sources" saying he is "intrigued" is mealy-mouthed agent-speak, and given that it's the Yankees, that's probably just a macro they hit for every free agent statement. On some level I suppose everyone is intrigued by the iconic brands, but that just says they don't get crossed off immediately.
On a more positive note, Gerrit Cole -- who gets shit from Sox fans like me a lot -- said in a goofy interview after his Cy Young Award announcement, when asked about non-baseball stuff he thinks about, replied "I think about the ocean a lot." He is now, for the remainder of his contract, my grudging favorite Yankee. He might even be a great guy, or at least not another incredibly boring golfaholic or squirrel hunter or whatever. I would gladly have a beer with him. [Backstory: I think about the oceans for a living.]
Does Prestige work the day shift with Aura and Mystique.
Wait, was that Schilling or Tek? I hope not Curt, it was a great line.
Yeah, I feel like that is how the Yankees are going to have to do this. Go in for both.
Two guys, with elite skills, going into their age 25 years. Those are the guys you give the huge money to. Foundational pieces for the next decade. I would much rather pay for these guys than Ohtani, who is turning 30.
I think NY has the inside track on Soto, they match up better with a package they are willing to move than anyone else. I doubt they could sign him long-term before he hits FA, but I guess it's possible if they offer enough.
But everyone wants Yamamoto, I think the Mets have the inside track because Steve Cohen will offer something crazy like 12/360 if he has to.
NY isn't realistically in on Ohtani, I still think he ends up a Dodger.
But everyone wants Yamamoto, I think the Mets have the inside track because Steve Cohen will offer something crazy like 12/360 if he has to.
NY isn't realistically in on Ohtani, I still think he ends up a Dodger.
Honestly, I'm ok that Soto is unlikely to sign an extension. If he's a good fit and likes being with the organization, the Yankees won't have any problem paying market rate. If he's not a good fit, well, the prospect loss is a sunk cost and better to go in a different direction anyway.
Yeah if you are Juan Soto and are a LHH who already has 160 career HRs at 25, Yankee Stadium RF long-term is probably a big selling point, all else being relatively equal. That could be what, 50-60 extra HRs over a 12 year deal? I am pulling that number out of my ass but the general point remains the same.
Obviously it's Juan Soto so you figure it out, but I don't see how he and Judge co-exist long-term without one being DH, especially since they still have never even tried Judge in LF. Judge can play competent CF a few times a week for now anyway, but I don't think you want him there every day if possible. Soto as the primary LF would definitely give back some runs, but yeah you hope you have the chance to try to figure it out, even for one season.
So it's a bit like trading one year of Mookie to LAD (sorry), although Mookie was a superlative defender. Both were/are being paid in the $30M range for their final year of control, BOS sent some of Price's money too so didn't get as big a package in return.
I think a package like Pereira, Schmidt (control through 2027), Fitts and their choice of Thorpe or Hampton should be the top bid and IMO SD would be crazy not to take it, that could be filling four holes cheaply for a long time when they need to cut a bunch of salary and not a lot of easily movable deals. That is a lot of pitching, the final three guys (SD gets 2 plus Schmidt) are all close to ready already (all in AA), none even have their 40 man clocks started yet.
NY has a lot of different options to include in those pitching slots too, Michael King looked so dominant down the stretch in the rotation that I'd be hesitant to include him but he does only have two years of team control left. He started 8 games, gradually building up. He got hit in the final one but the first seven were close to perfect:
34.1 25 6 4 9 47
1.05 ERA, 1.30 FIP, .500 OPS allowed
Anyway, Pereira, 3 SPs, and if they like any of Higgy/Rortvedt/Narvaez, they are welcome to one of them too to close the deal.
Will Warren is the one of the Warren/Thorpe/Hampton/Fitts I'd be most hesitant to include, he was so dominant down the stretch in Scranton in a year where guys like Vasquez and Brito who had success with NY (Brito was great once moved to long relief) got consistently hammered for Scranton, I would really like to see him get a chance for NY this year. Hampton is I think generally considered the best prospect of the four, Thorpe won overall MiLB pitcher of the year, and Fitts was the Eastern League pitcher of the year, I am excited about all four, but Warren is the current leader among them in JEL (Jon Excitement Level). He was promoted to AAA in mid-May and had trouble initially, like everyone else in the league all season. But wow did he figure it out in Sept, 5 games (two not technically starts as he came in after a rehabbing MLB reliever):
28.2 15 2 2 11 36
0.63 ERA, .152 BAA
I doubt Judge would have a problem in LF and would guess that the only reason it has never happened is because keeping his arm in RF or having him covering CF have been bigger priorities.
Still would rather take the defensive hit with Soto in left though.
And yeah, it really is an exciting time. Hope something big comes together and we're not stuck with an assortment of misfit toys.
Still would rather take the defensive hit with Soto in left though.
And yeah, it really is an exciting time. Hope something big comes together and we're not stuck with an assortment of misfit toys.
Oh, so you don't want to see a lineup with Willie Calhoun hitting in the three hole and Franchy Cordero hitting fourth?
I'm as big an apologist for Cashman as we have, but yeah, I'm hoping for a better Christmas this year.
I know this is hyperbole, but they are both gone along with McKinney. Bauers is the only one left (for now).
"The non-tender deadline is tonight at 7 p.m.
The #Yankees have 11 arbitration-eligible players:
RHP Lou Trivino
INF Gleyber Torres
RHP Clay Holmes
RHP Jonathan Loáisiga
C Kyle Higashioka
LHP Nestor Cortes
C Jose Trevino
RHP Michael King
OF/1B Jake Bauers
RHP Clarke Schmidt
RHP Albert Abreu"
NY kept all of these guys on their 40 man, so will presumably offer all of them contracts, but we'll see.
The #Yankees have 11 arbitration-eligible players:
RHP Lou Trivino
INF Gleyber Torres
RHP Clay Holmes
RHP Jonathan Loáisiga
C Kyle Higashioka
LHP Nestor Cortes
C Jose Trevino
RHP Michael King
OF/1B Jake Bauers
RHP Clarke Schmidt
RHP Albert Abreu"
NY kept all of these guys on their 40 man, so will presumably offer all of them contracts, but we'll see.
If there was any doubt that NY plans on actually adding OFs this winter, they are now down to just five plus Stanton and one of those (Dominguez) is out for the first half of the season:
Judge
Pereira
Florial
Cabrera
(Dominguez)
Judge
Pereira
Florial
Cabrera
(Dominguez)
Avina is a 20 year old 2021 pick (drafted 14th round but paid like a 6th rounder) who went nuts down the stretch this year in low A, interesting pickup.
“Jace Avina from 7/18-end of season:
.347/.473/.645, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 22 XBH, 14.7 BB%, 22.7 K%, 208 wRC+ (37 G)”
“Jace Avina from 7/18-end of season:
.347/.473/.645, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 22 XBH, 14.7 BB%, 22.7 K%, 208 wRC+ (37 G)”
The Yankees have six catchers on the 40 man currently and MIA has one, talk about perfect trade partners. Higgy, pack your swimsuit!!
Thinking about it, this actually doesn't need to be a public deadline for teams until they want, at least for the guys tendered. If NY is talking to MIA or someone else about Higgy, they can just tender him an offer which will transfer in the trade, and the acquiring team would have done the same thing so same end result even if they agree at midnight or three days from now (but they will probably announce the list before then).
Thinking about it, this actually doesn't need to be a public deadline for teams until they want, at least for the guys tendered. If NY is talking to MIA or someone else about Higgy, they can just tender him an offer which will transfer in the trade, and the acquiring team would have done the same thing so same end result even if they agree at midnight or three days from now (but they will probably announce the list before then).
Abreu has such tantalizing stuff but is never reliable, someone will snap him up again. Dumping Trevino makes the Montas deal complete from NY's side, and yoiks.
NY's 40 man down to 36 now. NY has internal reliever options with all three option years remaining to add to the 40 man later if they don't replace those slots externally, I love how much dead wood from the 40 man Cashman has cleared (that he brought on board, heh) since July/August.
NY's 40 man down to 36 now. NY has internal reliever options with all three option years remaining to add to the 40 man later if they don't replace those slots externally, I love how much dead wood from the 40 man Cashman has cleared (that he brought on board, heh) since July/August.
Not sure if he is on the 40 man or not, but NY signed Yerry De Los Santos, a 25 year old righty reliever who PIT didn't keep on their 40 man.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/delosye01.shtml
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/delosye01.shtml
Seems solid. And I trust the org with finding good bullpen arms.
They must really like him too, they struck quick.
They must really like him too, they struck quick.
It's still not clear if he gets a 40 man spot, but it maybe makes sense to think of him as an Albert Abreu replacement, three years younger (25 to 28), both hard-throwing Dominican righty relievers, but crucially De Los Santos has remaining option years (2? I'm not sure) and Abreu did not.
Oh I thought of a better way to think of this, it's like a rule 5 selection without any of the roster restrictions, whether or not he is on the 40 man (I'm guessing yes). Rule 5 selections essentially have to stay on the MLB 26 man roster all season, ready or not, performing well or not, but De Los Santos can start the season in NY or Scranton and move between if and when necessary.
Santos has two option years. His stuff really is filthy, I'm a sucker for a good sinker and his can be vicious. Definitely has the toolkit the Yankees like, but his health is even shakier than most. I would imagine it's a minor league deal, requiring a 40 man roster spot, as even if his reps wanted to push him towards the Yankees (as Blake really is a perfect coach for him) you'd think they would wait until deeper into the offseason to accept a NRI deal.
MLBTR says that he went unclaimed on waivers, so probably not a 40 man spot, but maybe if he’s not on the 40 man by Opening Day, he can opt out (just my guess).
Anyway we’ll know soon enough but for now I think NY’s 40 man is still at 36.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/yankees-yerry-de-los-santos-agree-to-deal.html
Anyway we’ll know soon enough but for now I think NY’s 40 man is still at 36.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/yankees-yerry-de-los-santos-agree-to-deal.html
I was close:
"Joel Sherman
@Joelsherman1
Yerry De Los Santos has a minor league agreement with the Yankees. Will pay him $900,000 if reaches the majors. Invite to spring training. Has an assignment clause June 1 for 26-man roster and a release clause July 1."
"Joel Sherman
@Joelsherman1
Yerry De Los Santos has a minor league agreement with the Yankees. Will pay him $900,000 if reaches the majors. Invite to spring training. Has an assignment clause June 1 for 26-man roster and a release clause July 1."
@Joelsherman1
Brad Ausmus interviewed for the Yankees bench coach role and is viewed as a strong candidate to succeed Carlos Mendoza.
View: https://twitter.com/joelsherman1/status/1727052808384598374
Brad Ausmus interviewed for the Yankees bench coach role and is viewed as a strong candidate to succeed Carlos Mendoza.
View: https://twitter.com/joelsherman1/status/1727052808384598374
Joel Sherman
@Joelsherman1
·
Follow
I can report now that Ausmus was hired to be the Yankees bench coach.
View: https://twitter.com/joelsherman1/status/1727057545431580966
@Joelsherman1
·
Follow
I can report now that Ausmus was hired to be the Yankees bench coach.
View: https://twitter.com/joelsherman1/status/1727057545431580966