Brian Cashman is emptying the prospect bucket to make a run at the 2021 season. SU is encouraged that he is at least going for left-handed hitters – what a concept! I don’t know much about Anthony Rizzo although he has had a very solid career except for the last 2 seasons. He seems to make contact (I guess they didn’t hold that against him as the Yankees value players who strike out all the time) and is great defensively. Hits to all fields too (no doubt the Yankee hitting coaches will work on that and train him to hit into the shift).
Just kidding – don’t want to go all negative here. Rizzo is a free agent after the season is over so this feels like a rental situation. The strategy long-term has to be to move Torres back to 2nd base and find a solution at shortstop who can field with some range. SU thought they used to have Didi Gregorius in that spot but maybe I am mistaken? That means LeMahieu will move to 1st base long-term. That all feels right to SU.
Now, the addition of Rizzo makes Luke Voit appear to be expendable. Rumors are he will be traded for a pitcher today. But… SU says what about this? Put Stanton in left field and Votto in center. You give Stanton the white glove treatment as a DH but he is flat out bad for long stretches. For $30 million, let him play the outfield too. He was an everyday player in Miami for a number of years and is still only 31 years old. Worst thing that happens is that he pulls a calf muscle and goes on the IL. They have depth now with Gardner and Allen. This would allow them to DH Voit and keep him around in case they can’t make a deal. SU says don’t just give Voit away for nothing.
Bottom line: the Yankees are a station to station team now (still) but at least have some balance in the line-up with the new left-handed hitters. SU would have broken it all down now but clearly ownership wants to go for that 2nd wild card spot and see if they can make a playoff run.
And where are the Mets? The major pieces are now off the board in Scherzer and Turner as the Nationals start over and the Dodgers go all in for 2021 but the Mets have the resources to do something. SU thinks they will be the team to watch today.
SU’s main guy Djokovic goes down in the semis in Tokyo so no Golden Slam for this year. I am not surprised as he doesn’t play well in heat and humidity, and Tokyo sells both in July. One wonders why the Olympics are in Tokyo at all given their weather in July but we know those decisions are a bit complex and mysterious.
Met fans, who’s on your wish list today? Yankee fans, are you happy with the moves? The team is clearly excited by losing 14-0 yesterday to the Rays with Cole pitching. Flawed teams don’t sweep.