SU appreciates the input from the intergalactic subscriber base to our previous question of whether the Yankees should be selling or buying at next weekend’s trade deadline. There is some cause for optimism this week given the modest 4-game winning streak and the performance of mostly journeymen players who have contributed with a few timely hits, stolen bases and — wait for it — sacrifice bunts.

SU has observed and has these thoughts:

1. The general level of unathleticism (I know, probably not a real word) of the Yankee roster makes a stolen base or a runner scoring from 2nd base on a single to be so remarkable that you think you have seen something never done before in baseball. Fans have become used to waiting for the home run and excited when Gary Sanchez or Gleyber Torres run hard on a doubleplay grounder. And when Giancarlo Stanton runs hard, well, you almost jump out of your seat! Baseball has always been built around hitting, running, stealing, taking the extra base, etc. Not in the Bronx but elsewhere. SU says calm down. Enjoy it but it’s not sustainable once the COVID and injured players return.
2. The performance of the journeymen players and the youngsters this week has been energizing and fun to see. SU has more faith in the real youngsters vs. the older guys who will have trouble sustaining a high level of performance. Florial in center field is good and needs to play every day. I mean, is anyone waiting on the return of Clint Frazier? I rest my case on that one.
3. I like this guy Allen. A switch hitter (WHAT? A left-handed hitter? How did that happen exactly? Must have been a clerical error). He needs to stay for the rest of the season.
4. The bullpen is officially a disaster area now. The Yankees do not have a reliable closer anymore. Chapman has some issue with his finger nails that makes throwing his cut fastball hard and he clearly misses the Spider Tack stuff. Britten has no idea where his pitches are going. Chad Green can set up but is a fire starter in the 9th inning. Last night’s loss was bone crushing … and predictable for SU. He can’t be trusted. Line drive after line drive in the 9th. Cessa had pitched a 5- pitch 8th inning and many wanted him to stay in. It’s an easy second guess – especially after Green’s implosion – but you can’t blame Boone entirely on that one. Green is supposed to perform. On the other hand, SU doesn’t trust Green so it was certainly worth a shot. And if Chapman was available, he would have been in there and we would likely have the same result. That is SU’s point.
5. Stanton had a big single in the 8th inning – bloop single – but he has not risen to the challenge with a depleted line up this week. That is what $30 million a year players do. He ain’t that guy and never will be.

Meanwhile, other contenders are adding to their rosters. The Rays picked up Nelson Cruz yesterday – huge and smart move for them. The Yankees will have to get red hot to just get a wild card and then will be bounced early in the playoffs. That cannot be the goal here. SU would rather retool for the future than eke into the playoffs and exit early.

Cashman did this in 2016 – there is precedent here. Pitching coaches have big egos and someone will know how to fix Chapman. He can go. Luke Voit is a young guy but just another DH. Stanton has a no trade – he is here until 2049 so get used to that. Voit has value. Someone will also take a flyer on Clint Frazier. Let the rebuild begin.