SU is 100% behind Joe Girardi’s decision to bench Gary Sanchez and send a message that defense matters just as much as offense. I had noticed the extra bulk coming into this season for Sanchez. And let’s face it: he has become a hazard behind the plate. So many wild pitches and passed balls late in games. So many trips to the mound to talk to the pitchers. He makes it impossible for them to get in a rhythm. SU recognizes that he has still not played a full season in the Majors with his injury earlier in the year, and he certainly has a strong arm. Brian Cashman noted that his extra muscle/bulk is probably contributing to being less flexible this year. I would also point out that he had attitude issues in the minor leagues over the years.
SU is sure he has now gotten the message and will try a little harder and work on his defense. Plus he is not setting the world world on fire offensively this season. I also note that for Girardi, who almost never publicly criticizes his players, this must have been the last straw. It’s something to watch now.
SU is bullish on the Yankees’ chances now assuming the following happens:
- The Yankees need Castro to return fully healthy along with Hicks. Assuming Matt Holliday stays on the DL (and he needs to stay there), this will allow Ellsbury to get some DH at bats or at least play a little more. He is ready to start contributing now.
- Greg Bird needs to return in late August and assume his 1st base duties. Then they can move Headley back to 3rd base and Designate for Assignment Todd Frazier. Let’s face the truth: he joined the team hitting .206 and I think he is still hitting .206 with no power and a ton of strikeouts. Help me here: what is the attraction? A swing and miss guy with the occasional bases empty home run? Don’t need it. Play Torreyes then who has a lot of rbis for few at bats.
- They need an offensive jump start and have 3 players ready to rejoin the line up. But you can’t keep rolling out so many swing and miss hitters who have no clue how to hit in different situations.
SU is not happy about the demotion of Montgomery today. Give Jaime Garcia one more start and if he is bad again, send him packing and bring back Montgomery. The division is there to be had. Eduardo Nunez is not going to carry the Red Sox for weeks and weeks. Btw, do you think maybe he would have done just a little better than Todd Frazier? The moral of the story is always go with the SU favorites.
Stan Wawrinka now out for the rest of the season as he joins Djokovic on the DL. Unreal how the tennis players are dropping. There is only a one month off season in tennis (December) and it may be time to re-visit the scheduling. Tennis like other sports is based on star players and if you keep losing your top guns, attendance is going to start paying the price.
Finally, as we near the start of the NFL season, Fantasy League team owners stay away from Jay Cutler who I thought had retired. He will only disappoint.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
I’m not as down on Sanchez’ offense. It’s not what he did last year but nobody does what he did last year. In June, July and August compared to Aaron Judge, he is 6 HRs behind, 1 RBI behind and .010 batting average behind. He’s a good offensive player whose numbers are more appreciated if he can field the position well. I hope he improves but I’m not sure how public shaming is going to improve his defense mid-season. Girardi obviously sees something else and believes this will help.
As I’ve written in comments since the off-season (and through spring training), the Yankees hopes cannot rest on the shoulders of Greg Bird. I see him as a .250-.275 hitter with moderate power, slightly amplified by Yankee Stadium. There are places for players like this in the major leagues. There are places for players like this on the Yankees. But you are not going to be a serious playoff team if you offense is depending on someone like Greg Bird.
Castro will help this team a lot. His career has been nothing but consistent. I hope Hicks picks up where he left off.
I’m sure the Yankees are sorry about sending Montgomery down as well. This was a roster-driven move where the he has options. Girardi likes Montgomery. I like Montgomery. There is no reason why you can’t make a playoff run with him as your 4th or 5th starter. Makes you wonder about the need for Gray and Garcia but there’s so much that can go wrong with injury, etc.
Montgomery has been always up and down…. with the down side really low. We have so many options now so why not try them. Sanchez hopefully gets the message and comes back with more energy and concentration behind both sides of the plate.
With these top players dropping like flies maybe Federer can reach 20 Grand Slam wins. The next two for sure are right up his alley before the French which is really a gimmie for Nadal… the greatest clay court player ever.
PS Will someone please work with Judge on those sliders that are down and away.
Seth, my point about Greg Bird is more related to getting Todd Frazier out of the line up. I am not expecting wonderous things. Just want another left-handed bat in there and Frazier gone. Plus Bird will make contact. They are so right handed now a days.