SU tries to keep an open mind when it comes to new players on my teams. OK, maybe I have a blind spot with Chase Headley but in the end, I will be proven right. I was a big fan of Greg Bird coming out of spring training and his injury has created a domino effect of moves all year long. We all knew Chris Carter would be a bad fit. No surprise there. So, SU asks: how is Todd Frazier any different from Carter? He is a low contact, high strikeout, right – handed hitter who will hit the occasional home run. What am I missing here?
I agree it’s a low risk move for a rent-a-player for 3 months as he will be a free agent and then you get the draft pick by allowing him to leave. But for SU, he falls into the Chase Headley (sorry, can’t resist) and Brian McCann category where whenever he gets a hit, it is a total surprise. You just don’t expect it as you are mentally and emotionally prepared for the strikeout or pop up. Speaking of which, have you been watching Matt Holliday since he came back after the All-Star break? He is a strikeout or double play waiting to happen. Relatively new SU subscriber, S. Greenberg, suspects whatever virus he might have is still in his system. SU agrees: he is not right. In any event, you cannot have him protecting Judge in the line up. Castro can hardly run and he is not hitting again yet. Throw in Slugger Ellsbury and right now it’s hard to score runs. And yet, and yet, they are in the hunt for the division and the wild card. But SU still maintains that they are way too right-handed now; need a lefty bat who can actually hit. Ten days to go before the trade deadline. SU says Cashman is not done yet. He can’t be.
SU liked P. Bok’s comments on the rumored trade of Melo to Portland. That would be a high powered offense with him but at this point, it seems he will only accept a trade to a team where he has friends on the roster. We are back on the play ground picking sides. Rajon Rondo has signed with New Orleans which must be a huge relief for Knick fans. No doubt he would have been a great influence on the Knicks younger players. In fairness to Melo, Jackson gave him the no trade clause so he can certainly be selective. But they just have to make that move.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
Every team in the east has their flaws. But having 2 ace pitchers are hard to beat in the long run, especially since they are both better than any of our pitchers. Their Closer is excellent too. It will be interesting to watch. Hopefully, the over achieving months of April and may and the underachieving months of June and July will flip back in August and September.
Having Melo move as far away as possible like Portland would be great. Not only would the stench go away, no one is staying up at 10:30pm to watch him ball hog again and again and again.
So Sports illustrated feels the NY Giants will only win 8 games this season. Hmmm. I beg to differ.
The Yankees really miss Aaron Hicks. He had a great couple of months. Ellsbury has been reduced to a singles hitter with almost no power. His contract must be one of the worst in all of baseball. The problem is that Hicks is not close to returning. They need to give Clint Frazier steady at bats and use the DH to give Gardner, Judge or Ellsbury some at bats. Holliday doesn’t deserve to play every day as a sub-.240 hitter. I have also noted that the Yankees have hit almost no home runs in the first 8 games since the All-Star Break – maybe 3 in total. How do you explain that?
Heard Cashman on the radio. He’s still hopeful that Bird will come back and contribute in 2017. I don’t see it but if it makes people feel better. I’ve been saying it since Spring training: I hope Brid plays well here for a long time but I don’t see him as a big bat in the middle of the lineup. He played nicely with the team in 2015 but his numbers were not like Sanchez in 2016 or Judge this year. Not even close. He may be a nice player but he’s not a middle-of-the-order guy on a good offensive team. That’s fine. The Yankees have Judge and Gregorius and Sanchez and Castro. Still, watching the various guys play 1B for the Yankees this year, I just want them to find someone who fields left handed. The commentary around all these right handed first baseman is usually “he plays better defensively than you think.” I’d like to see a first baseman who doesn’t need the benefit of low expectations and the best ones usually field left handed.
Sorry, still don’t see any team wanting Carmelo Anthony. His ego loves the idea that there are teams around the league asking for him but denied because he doesn’t deem them worthy of his talents. This just isn’t the case. His defense is terrible and his offense is a net negative. His ability to score is misleading because his style of play robs his teammates of too many opportunities.
Is SU still working on its report from the OJ parole hearing? Francesca pointed out that he’s done his time and is no longer a threat to society. The Vegas incident was a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people. This couldn’t be more wrong. I suggest viewing ‘OJ: Made in America.’ It’s long but riveting and provides unique insight into our country’s issues with race, celebrity and justice. It also makes it very clear that the Vegas incident, while completely wacky, fits rather neatly into the arc of OJ’s life. He had been spending time in Miami with a pretty bad crowd and absolutely loving it. The guy craves attention and admiration and the only place he can find those things is among the shadiest of characters. I don’t believe this has changed at all and part of his plan after release is to move back to Miami. I don’t see this ending well.
Seth, I had noted OJ’s parole hearing and saw he will soon be out on the street. No doubt he will devote the rest of his life to finding his wife’s killer. I watched the Made in America documentary – it was excellent. I am sure he will be all about making money now and you may be right in terms of what comes next for him.
I don’t see Bird coming back this year. It just takes too long in baseball to get ready to hit Major League pitching.
I think teams are holding out in the hope that the Knicks buy out Melo’s contract vs. having to go the trade route. It’s a game of chicken now. I do think some team will take a chance and believe it’s coach can make it a good situation.
Lucas Duda really can be the answer at 1st base for the Yankees. He has always been a good On Base % guy and when on a hot streak is as good as anyone out there. I’d gladly take Dustin Fowler for him. Probably a bit too high of a price for a rental but something should be worked out between these two teams.
One observation as a long suffering Mets fan to the Yankee fans. There is no entitlement to have an All Star at every position! If Brett Gardner and Jacoby Elsberry (almost $35 Million between them) are your worst players, then boo hoo for you. Now Castro and Holliday are hurting so the yanks should replace them both with new stars? You can’t have a youth movement on one hand and then pine to replace anyone who is under performing in the short term. Cashman has done a GREAT job! Be thankful for what you have.
Jeff