Before SU comments on baseball and the lack of action on the free agency front, I have got to weigh in on James Harden. First of all, he has finally reported to training camp and it’s clear he did not step up to the salad bar during his time off. Either that or he has outgrown his warm-up outfit. It’s not a good look if you are looking to be traded. And SU says buyer beware – he’s in his early 30s now and for an NBA team to get him, you have to match salaries which means a combination of contracts of other over paid players and no doubt some studs plus draft picks. He will only deteriorate from here on out as he gets older and remember, he has never won a championship.
Actually, Harden reminds me of Giancarlo Stanton. You over-pay to get him and then your roster is hamstrung from there on out. SU did have a laugh out loud moment this morning when I read that Brian Cashman said that Stanton is a “beast.” Sure, he had a few good games in the playoffs but he can’t stay healthy. Cashman says the goal for 2021 is to keep him healthy. I mean, you only play him at DH – what else are you supposed to do? Have a designated runner for him once he gets on base? Sorry, SU just warming up for the 2021 MLB season. I know he’ll be here for the next 23 years.
A few tidbits from Yankee land in the hot stove arena:
- Didi Gregorius has professed his love of New York and would love to return if they move on from DJ LeMahieu. He is a perfect fit for the Yankees. In the perfect world (and we don’t live in one), you move Stanton and DH Voit. LeMahieu plays first base, Torres returns to 2nd base (he is not a great shortstop) and Didi plays short for a few years. They desperately need the left-handed bat in the line up. But it will never happen. But Cashman should keep an eye on Didi in case they can’t reach a deal on LeMahieu.
- Apparently, the Yankees are $25 million apart on LeMahieu. Sounds like $5 million a year for a 5-year deal. SU says he is the best player on the team – and not sure it’s that close. When you are already paying $30 million+ a year for Stanton for 10 years, now you want to be fiscally conservative?
- Cashman is high on Hicks. SU says move on from that. Until he learns to hit to the opposite field left-handed, why is a .220 hitter who walks a little so great?
- Cashman wants to bring back Gardner – yet again. SU says Gardner holds back Frazier’s development. Give Frazier a shot for a full-time job in 2021.
- The Yankees are committed to Sanchez in 2021 apparently. Hard to be believe he is 28 years old now. Time flies when you are striking out and chasing balls back to the backstop.
- Tanaka needs to come back for 1-2 years. No-brainer. And Hal has to have a heart-to-heart conversation with German who has to show some contrition for what he did which apparently was very bad. He could be a difference maker but his head needs to be right and he needs to show he’s a good guy – which apparently is not the case.
- Say what you want, but the all right-handed line up is just dumb. It’s not a winning formula. You can make the playoffs and hit a ton of home runs in the regular season but sooner or later, you will get mowed down in the playoffs. As in every year.
- The Mets have a new GM who is highly regarded in MLB circles. SU likes the way Cohen is biding his time and not jumping. I still feel the Mets are the Club to watch going forward in 2021 and the competition for the back page of the NY tabloids (is that still a thing?) is going to be great.
That’s all I got for this morning. I know Yankee fans are feeling LeMahieu anxiety but I can’t believe the team will be out-bid there. But that only gets you to the status quo of 2020 – not good enough. Oh, they did sign Adam Warren to a minor league deal – he is coming off Tommy John surgery.
Anyone have some inside scoop?
Sports Update Intergalactic 
Read the first paragraph and can only picture James Dolan calling a meeting.
Seth, it’s a new era at MSG! New leadership, younger players and stay the course… at least until January. Luckily, the Knicks don’t have the pieces to trade.
Apparently Yankees have offered DJ $75M for 4 years and he is asking for $100M for 5 years, so the length of the contract, and not the average salary per year, is the sticking point.
I mean A-Rod’s contract ran until his early 40s, and Stanton will be on social security and still on the Yankees payroll. Now, this is a major issue? It’s a rounding error on Stanton’s deal. Plus LeMahieu can probably DH until he’s 40 years old. Only 32 today. I assume they will have the chance to match any other contract so we will stay in this holding pattern for a while.
Only 60 days until Pitchers and Catchers!
DJ has been the team MVP for two years. Pay the man or someone else will. I think the difference in money is 5/100 vs 5/125. In a pandemic season, meet in the middle and let’s play ball.
One comment on Sanchez. Agree on the strikeouts but he is usually loafing to the backstop, not running.
Tanaka is certainly past his prime but if the Yanks don’t want him he is welcome in Queens for 2/25. I rather sign him to solidify the rotation and spend the big bucks on Springer plus a trade for Lindor. Lindor is clearly my preference over Aronado for this team. Just a much better fit for the long term. I worry Aronado could be another Stanton across town. What do you think Howard? I know the cost would be lower in players/prospects but there is a great deal of risk in that contract. It is tempting if we only give JD Davis and a couple lower ranked prospects plus get to dump Cano but will it leave the team hamstrung in the future?
I am always wary of guys with great stats in Colorado. Not sure that they translate well to other cities. I also think the long-term contracts for $30 million plus a year are doomed for more than half the contracts. In this market, you can pick up 2 players are very good for the price of one aging player. Springer would be a safe bet. Not convinced that Lindor will produce over the long term. Or overpay for a shorter term contract. I think most owners will move in that direction in MLB from now on.
Love to get Didi back
Wish we could trade Stanton and let bout be the DH. The key is what to expect from Domingo and Severino and also Brittan. If our Starters are solid then we will get to the World Series.
PS… Pay LaMiehue