SU is back in action after a week of R&R up in the Finger Lakes which I would highly recommend this summer. Per usual, SU kept tabs on the developments in the sports world including the NBA playoffs which are very good by the way, and my man, Djokovic, winning another Grand Slam title.
And SU has also been following the Yankees and their fits and starts as they try to establish some pattern of success. My observations:
- Even when winning in 2021, this team does not look good. They just don’t. They can’t score and thus wins are low scoring and close. They are worst in the baseball with RISP – something like .224 – last in stolen bases, at the bottom in so many offensive categories.
- They have now won a few series in a row and have gone 7-3 against better quality teams. The Red Sox could have buried them once and for all this weekend but missed out on that golden opportunity. Could this be the Minolta Turning Point of the Season? SU will comment on that shortly.
- With 6 players now on the COVID injured list (unclear how many were not vaccinated by the way), and Luke Voit hurt yet again, the Yankees have brought up a lot of minor league players. What’s interesting to SU is that almost none of them are considered real prospects. Rather, they are journeymen players in their late 20s to early 30s. That is a statement right there of the organization’s talent pool. The answer is that the younger players are on the Major League roster (Torres, Sanchez, Judge) and the “prospects” are in their late teens and early 20s and not quite ready. That means a gap in the pipeline.
- Chapman seems to have regained his velocity – he was up to 102 last night – although if you are a left-handed batter you might not stand in the actual batter’s box as Chapman doesn’t really know where those pitches are going. SU would put him back in the closer’s role now.
- The younger players who were out there this weekend can actually run fast – it was almost shocking to see someone go from 1st to 3rd or score on a single. SU likes this guy Greg Allen who has bounced around among a few teams and is a switch hitter with speed. And here is the thing: he got a few hits. As a regular fan this year, it was a real surprise to see a hit from a center or right fielder. Really. Cameron Maybin filled in nicely a couple of years ago, and Allen could be that guy this year.
So, back to our original question. Sell or buy? Was this the Minolta Turning Point? SU say no, and I would sell. And here is who I would sell:
- Clint Frazier – put him out of his misery. Over-hyped. Let him thrive somewhere else and I hope he can do that.
- Miguel Andujar – SU favorite but he also needs a new venue.
- Luke Voit – I think you could actually get some value for him. Good guy in the clubhouse but for me, swings way too hard and now can’t stay healthy.
- Odor – I know he’s hit a couple of home runs of late but he is a .212 hitter who swings for the fences mindlessly.
- Stanton – I know he’s untradeable because of the contract but I would eat the salary and free up the roster for future years. He also has a no trade contract which makes this difficult. Did you see the stat last night that in his last 77 at bats at Yankee Stadium, he has 1 extra base hit? He is either red hot or ice cold, and when he gets hot and gets on base, his legs can’t handle running the bases and he gets hurt which means he goes cold again. Rinse and repeat for the next 2 months. Enough.
I would keep Gleyber – fix him. And seriously, bring in new batting coaches. SU has nothing against the current team but at some point, the players tune you out and it’s time for a change. I would also keep Sanchez as you don’t have a capable replacement. But if they traded him, SU is ok with that too.
Bottom line: I am ready for a change. The season will not be satisfying with a late season charge to get a wild card and then lose in the first round to Tampa Bay. That does not cut it.
The floor is open. Buy or sell?
Sports Update Intergalactic 
Sell.
To the extent any of these guys have trade value, most of them are injured to boot. Could the Yankees be trying to force feed Chapman back into the closer’s role to maximize his trade value? Surely there must be a contender out there in need of a closer, and Loaisiga seems to be showing the ability to handle that role much cheaper. Also, if there is another serviceable starter between Severino/Kluber, maybe trade German as well. Seems like to have any impact the team is going to have to blow through the salary cap.
NEVER NEVER NEVER will the Yankees put up the white flag. Yes, I agree that getting something for Frazier and Voit should happen. Maybe even Stanton, though he can carry the team from time to time. Did you forget how the Yanks came back from 14 down in 1978. George would never hear about folding. Its too early anyway. Maybe near the end of August if we are playing the same way as we were before the Red Sox series. NOT NOW.
It is time for a rebuild on the fly for the Yankees. They would never totally tear it down to the studs. Cashman has relied too much on pure analytics. Intangibles are important and players that mesh well together lift each other up and feed off of one another. The team has lacked balance for years. Lefty/righty, Speed/power, On Base/Slugging, Veterans/Youth, etc..
A successful team makes 1 + 1 = 3. This version of the Yankees add up to 1.5.
Who are the core to build around and what players will bring the highest return? I’d keep Judge, Dj, Urshela and Cole. I’d shop Torres and Chapman. The rest all have question marks with injuries or just are not that good. If you can get good value no one should be untouchable but the returns will be modest.
Yanks would be wise to pick up Bill McKinney who was DFAed by Mets. He had cooled off a lot but could could be a nice lefty bat in OF. It is amazing how so many AAAA type guys can have a productive 3-4 weeks in the majors when put into a part time role. Eventually they tend to get exposed but it does make you realize how little the marginal difference is for the bottom guys on the roster. As we learned from Bull Durham: “There’s six months in a season. That’s about 25 weeks. That means if you get just one extra flare a week, just one, a gork, a ground ball — a ground ball with eyes! — you get a dying quail, just one more dying quail a week and you’re in Yankee Stadium!”
Last night Stanton hit a single up the middle (while being 0-2 in the game) and, while carefully jogging to 1st, slammed his bat in disgust. David Cone was charitable in stating that this was a sign of how much Stanton cares. I’m less charitable. To me it’s a sign that he cares about the wrong things. I’ve found him a likeable enough guy but this was a bridge too far for me. It was a 1-run game at the time. He singles up the middle (should be a good sign) and gets himself on base with big hitters behind him.
Sanchez hit a monster HR yesterday but how about those manufactured runs. We know Allen will not a superstar but maybe he can remind the team that there are many ways to round the bases.