LACKING CELEBRATION
Shortly after humiliatingly losing the Wildcard game 6-2 back on October 5 this past season to the appalling Red Sox, both Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner strongly indicated that the Yankees would spend again (as the luxury tax was reset). Over the past 10 days, many teams including the Mets (who signed several good players including one of the best pitchers in baseball, Max Scherzer) have done what “they” were supposed to do. On the other hand, the Yankees have only re-signed one so-so relief pitcher (Joely Rodriguez) and added one utility infielder (José Peraza) through free agency who is set to report to their AAA team! During the last 10 days, the Yankees have also lost Clint Frazier, Roughned Odor, and Tyler Wade who were each exposed to the Rule 5 Draft. Additionally, both Hal and Brian mentioned that a shortstop was their number one target. Really? We just saw the Texas Rangers sign the second-best shortstop (Corey Seager) in the game yesterday. Another very good offensive hitting shortstop, Javier Baez (formerly of the Mets), just signed with the Tigers (his numbers were good, but his attitude is questionable). The Rangers also recently signed Marcus Seiman, another very good shortstop. The best shortstop, Carlos Correa is still a Free Agent, but who knows how good he really is without cheating? I believe he is still an excellent player who didn’t need the cheating (sort of like Barry Bonds was before steroids). Correa has also shown plenty of immaturity including attacking Derek Jeter by stating that Jeter did not deserve any of his six gold gloves. Not many Yankees’ fans are eager to add him and his arrogance to our team!
That makes Trevor Story as the only decent free-agent shortstop available. He has been playing in Coors Field for the Rockies, which typically adds a lot of offense to players’ numbers. Story is no different hitting just .241 on the road. On the other hand, numbers per
demonstrate that many players have actually produced decent offensive stats once they get readjusted by the second or third game away from Coors Field. At 29 years old, Story would be a very good fit for the Yankees, especially as they have three shortstop prospects (Anthony Volpe, Oswald Peraza, & Trey Sweeney) who are 1-2 years away from potentially playing in the big leagues.
Some more free agents will be made available by 8:00 pm tomorrow when non-tendered players become obtainable. (The deadline was moved a few days earlier due to the possible (and more than likely) upcoming MLB lockout, as the players’ union and the owners are seemingly too far apart on a new deal for the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.) Luke Voit, Gary Sanchez, and Miguel Andujar could each be affected if the Yankees fail to offer them a tendered contract. I doubt Voit or Sanchez will be simply let go by the Yankees without a return. They both offer at least some value to others, should a trade be proposed. On the other hand, Matthew Boyd of the Detroit Tigers is a starting pitcher who is expected to become available – mostly due to his ongoing flexor tendon recovery. He’s certainly a worthy Free Agent selection, should the Yankees be able to sign him.
The Yankees’ fans have been waiting long enough for some major improvements. It’s time to give up on Gary Sanchez and, yes, Brett Gardner. Neither has led us to a championship. Gardner has been a very good player for us in the past but over the last few years, he’s just been “okay” and has basically been our fourth outfielder in way of offense, even though he has technically acted as our third outfielder in way of substituting for others (mainly Aaron Hicks) defensively. I don’t think any Yankees’ fan wants to see Hicks being counted on as our 2022 centerfielder. He’s almost as bad as Ellsbury in terms of injuries!
Hey, Brian and Hal, WAKE UP!!! We need a lot of Celebration from the two of you!!!
