SU is decompressing from Election Night and what is a better distraction than some hot stove talk? Long-time SU subscriber S. Goldman commented earlier today that he had heard that the Yankees were in pursuit of Carlos Beltran. To quote S. Goldman, “Please tell me I read this wrong.”
SU would agree here. They lucked out last year with Beltran and he produced big numbers. But the guy is pushing 40 and you really risk his health and productivity at this point. While there is some chatter that the Yankees like him, the Red Sox seem to be a more likely landing spot. The Yankees are rumored to be going after Kendry Morales. This does not excite SU. Right now, they have Brian McCann as the full-time DH (he of the hard ground ball to 2nd base fame) but Cashman is looking to move him.
SU says get young and stay young. A guy like Aaron Judge who is not a terrific fielder might be good as the DH or else just rotate younger players through this spot. Do not overpay for the DH. You can always pick up someone. 2017 is the year of the young players in Yankee Stadium. Do not limit someone’s development and growth by getting an aging journeyman player.
The other hot rumor regarding the Yankees is Rich Hill. I like that one as they could use another arm and he is enjoying late career success.
Ah, it feels good to talk about the Yankees again. Now if you can trade Jacoby Ellsbury, it would fee really good.
Any Mets talk out there?
Sports Update Intergalactic 
Let’s pipe in with some talk on the team from Queens. All would love to have Cespedes back but does anyone trust giving him a 4 or 5 year deal? A good plan B in my mind would be to trade for Todd Fraizer from the White Sox. Local kid who carried his Connecticut team to the LL World Series 17 years ago. It may take a Conforto or Gzellman plus other prospects but he would be an excellent choice for 3B and can also play 1B and OF. If the White Sox do go into rebuild mode perhaps the Yankees should use some of their chips to go after Sale. He would be a perfect fit. Assuming no Cespedes, how about using some of that cash to sign Matt Weiters to catch and a good relief pitcher. Finally, we all love to see Bartolo take the mound but my choice of 40+ year old as starting pitching depth would be the return of R.A. Dickey. He would be half the money and maybe that knuckle-ball will dance a little better at Citi Field than indoors in Toronto. Any thoughts? LGM!
Jeff
Jeff, interesting thoughts about Dickey. I saw him pitch a lot this year and he was not great compared to recent years. I don’t know if it’s the dome vs. pitching outside but his time may be up now. Weiters is a good catcher but has a lot of miles on him already. It may be time to invest in a younger catcher. The Yankees always seem to have a bunch in their system. Pick one out!
PS, Gotta love the Rich Hill story. 18 months ago the guy is pitching for the Ducks in the Independent League. Now he is likely to sign a 3 year contract for 35-40 Million at age 38! Only in America!
Don’t think Beltran is such a bad idea, if you can get him at a reasonable price- he would be a good influence on the younger players, switch-hitter and not susceptible to the shift, which makes him an immense upgrade over McCann, who can than be traded which would make more time available for Romine, another younger player. Also would be protection for Judge being as overmatched as he was last year.
I understand the case for Beltran but he is now 40 and players hit the wall with bat speed (see A-Rod) and I worry he may now be there. He was great last year and that scares me even more. I say buyer beware.
The Yankees had Beltran for three years and the biggest impact he had was the first half of 2016 when he increased his trade value. We got a really good look at him during those three years and he really underperformed his contract. We don’t need that again.
Now I’m hearing that the Yanks are talking with Cespedis. Please no. A young team doesn’t need this kind of veteran. They’re still paying one diva (A Rod) so I don’t see why they’d want another.
Jeff, looks like RA Dickey just signed with the Braves. Your Mets are better off without him.