SU has missed the last several Yankee games as I have been in Evanston attending the MBA graduation and related festivities of long-time subscriber, S. Levine, from Kellogg. However, as always, SU has its finger on the pulse of the Yankees and followed along for what was a futile weekend in Tampa. Lots to discuss and worry/complain about for the spoiled Yankee fans:
- Many are calling for the immediate DFA of Chasen Shreve including long-time subscribers M. Hertz and J. Levine. SU would have to agree. While he is their only left-handed reliever, he is actually more effective against right-handed hitters. Word is that he may be out of options and can’t be sent back to Scranton. He had a bad week and has had a mediocre Yankee career. SU thought it would happen today but it’s just a matter of time now.
- Gary Sanchez is on the DL with a groin injury. Not good for catchers. SU says the silver lining is that he will be fresher come September. Perhaps he can also work on his hitting and get his eyes checked to catch the ball better. While he is still below the Mendoza line, he has a lot of big hits this year. If others don’t step up, this will be a big loss.
- SU must give props to Giancarlo Stanton for his walk-off home run last week and a big day yesterday. I guess I need to repeat that: props to Stanton. BUT… SU is still not a believer. Now, can he rise to the occasion and carry the team during Sanchez’s absence? That is what a star does.
- SU was disappointed to see Clint Frazier demoted again today. He was robbed of a home run yesterday by a cat walk in the ridiculous stadium known as Tropicana Field. They need to find a place for this guy and not just automatically trade him for a starter. SU likes him better than Hicks and Gardner may be gone next year.
- Greg Bird is killing me. Blowing his chances now and he is not guaranteed at bats on this team. He is better than this but if doesn’t show improvement soon, time to go plan B. SU says put Stanton in there at 1st and open up a spot for Clint Frazier. Neil Walker is donesville. First base is a power position. The solution is Bird gets hot but has to show some sign of life first. How about starting tonight?
- Houston and Boston are now pretty much even with the Yankees record wise. Red Sox come in this weekend. BIG WEEK.
- Finally, if I am Brandon Drury, I am playing 1st base every night at Scranton. He can hit; put him at 1st then as an option. Time to be creative.
Random notes:
- Novak Djokovic lost in the finals of the run-up grass tournament to Wimbledon and is finally playing well. SU is feeling big things from him at Wimbledon – he will be in the mix.
- How is Russia allowed to host the World Cup? It’s just wrong.
- SU is interested in the Knicks’ #1 pick. Hope he can play with the parent club in his first year. Also hoping they stand pat and give Trey Burke a chance to be the starter next season. But SU has its sights on Brooklyn as well.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
This is a comment I’ve left here many times over the past few seasons. The expectations for Greg Bird are far removed from anything he has ever shown with two exceptions. In 2015 with the Yankees he hit .260 with 11 HRs in about 1/3 of the season. Then in 2017 he hit a ton of HRs in spring training. That’s it. Look at the rest of his career, including the minor leagues. There is little reason to believe he will deliver much beyond maybe .270 with 20 HRs for a season. In the Yankees lineup, he’s a 7, 8 or 9 hitter. That’s it. And I’d be fine with that. But that’s not where he sits in the minds of Yankees fans. Due to injuries Yankees fans have not actually had a chance to see him play over any real stretch of time. This has somehow benefited his reputation and for the past 2+ seasons Yankee fandom has been saying “just wait till you see this lineup when Greg Bird gets back.” And this thinking has carried over to management and he’s been inserted right in the heart of the lineup (he has since dropped down). I would be totally fine if the Yankees played Bird every day, hitting at the bottom of the lineup. I’m sure his average would creep up and he’d hit a few homeruns. But he will not be a major run producer and it’s unfair to burden him with that expectation.
Seth, I know you are not a true believer in Greg Bird and to be honest, he has really disappointed me this year. I do think he has potential offensively and every time he has a prolonged slump such as now, you just wait for the announcement that he is still bothered by some bone spur and will need another operation. Brandon Drury is well over .300 at Scranton and is playing 1st base twice a week. I like him better than Austin and would give him a shot if Bird does not come around in the next week or so. The Yankees need at least a couple of guys that hit for average and are not trying for homers on every pitch.