The Yankees are quietly moving some minor league players in order to raise more money for the Ohtani sweepstakes. SU just saw that they traded Garrett Cooper and pitcher Caleb Smith to the Marlins to get some additional cash. SU liked Smith – threw hard and was a lefty who could have contributed in the bullpen in 2018 but clearly Cashman is looking to the future. He also has to move guys on and off the 40-man roster or risk losing them in the future in that Rule 5 draft. SU trusts him to do the right thing roster wise and keep the top prospects in the pipeline. You do get the impression that they really want Ohtani.
SU sees that the Mets are in talks to acquire Ian Kinsler from the Tigers to play 2nd base. That would be a good move – he is a solid professional with a proven track record. He has been around a long time and is on the downside of his career but plays hard and would seem to be a natural fit in New York.
Giancarlo Stanton is clearly on the move. Teams rumored to be on the list include the Giants, Dodgers and Red Sox. His contract is ridiculous although I suppose it may pale compared to what the next round of free agents get in a year or so like Manny Machado and Bryce Harper. Boston would be an interesting destination for him – a lot of home runs in Fenway for this guy. But as we all know, these long term, $300 million type deals all end badly and the Red Sox are still paying for Sandoval and David Price. Buyer beware.
SU caught a few minutes of the UConn women last night and on Sunday. While they are playing their usual team oriented style, SU believes that this year their roster is almost too good. They really seem stacked up and down the line up more so than in past years and at some point, who can even compete with them? Geno Auriemma has already signed the top player in the country for next season. Great to watch and they play all the best teams in the regular season. But not sure who will be able to stay with them once they fully hit their stride later in the season.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
Is Ohtani being looked at as a pitcher or hitter? If a guy is so good at both, wouldn’t he make more sense for the NL? Or if he is in the AL can he DH on days he doesn’t pitch?
Good point, Ben. I assumed he was being viewed as a pitcher first. Can he even play the field? I haven’t read much about him but I know the Yankees like the Japanese players. Matsui was great, Igawa was a dud and Tanaka was worth the investment.
Is it really that important to increase the potential bonus money in $250K increments? The Yankees were already within striking distance of the top team (Texas I think). You would think that if the top teams with international money are just a few hundreds of thousands of dollars apart, his decision would be based on other factors.
Every dollar counts. Just think: if every fan would just buy one more beer at every game, they can hire a 2nd Japanese interpreter for 2018 in case the first guy gets hurt or has a sore arm.
Maybe Ohtani can be a 2 way player and manager. That would be great value.
Good point – especially if he speaks English. Then you could get rid of the Japanese interpreter and save even more money.
I have read he wants to do both. I think he is being looked at as a pitcher who will DH or otherwise play the field a few days per week.
Ian Kinsler. Hit a career low BA last season of .236 and a career low OPS of .725. At 36 next year, these numbers will sink further. Why not put Flores at 2B full time? Not as good at defense, but his numbers get better every year. He had 233 AB against righties (his previous weakness) with a .262 BA and .765 OPS. His overall BA was .271 and a .795 OPS with 18 home runs in 336 AB – and he’s only 25 years old and improving each year. If he can stay healthy, he’s my choice for Mets 2B.