So, the Yankees continue to either trade or designate for assignment (DFA) any players that SU happens to like on the roster. First, it was Kenny Allen and the shortstop Velazquez who were traded a couple of weeks ago. OK, I get that as they were not key pieces going into 2022, and they have some top prospects at shortstop in the lower minors.
Then, on Friday, we learned that Clint Frazier (good), Odor (extra good) and Tyler Wade (bad) were being DFA’d. Now, Wade has shown in his time with the Yankees that he cannot hit a fastball – we get that. But he finally in 2021 showed signs of productivity for stretches and he filled in a number of holes. Plus, he is one of probably 2 players on the roster who can actually run from 1st to 3rd on a single. SU predicts that he will prosper for some National League team that likes to use the full roster, and you will hear from him again.
The Yankees did hire the Mets’ former manager, Luis Rojas, to be their new 3rd base coach. Interesting move. Boone seems to like him a lot and truth be told, he can only have a better year than Phil Nevin did in 2021 given how many Yankees were thrown out at home plate. I don’t think Nevin ever figured out just how slowly Giancarlo Stanton was running on the base paths. He used the sun dial instead of a stop watch to time that.
Houston shortstop, Carlos Correa, has gone on record dissing Derek Jeter’s gold gloves at shortstop based on the stats. Not a winning move if he wanted to come to the Yankees or at least use them for leverage in his negotiations with some other team. For SU, I don’t want one of the Astros’ cheaters on the team. We had to endure Roger Clemens – isn’t that enough?
With Aaron Hicks returning, it’s hard to know what Cashman sees in the outfield. You know he will get hurt again in 2022 plus he is just another swing for the fences guy like his neighbor in left, Joey Gallo. As a fan, you want to look forward to next year but my requirement is getting younger, faster, more athletic and quite frankly — interesting and exciting. I will wait and hope.
The Mets have hired Billy Eppler – from the Cashman tree – as the new GM. SU thinks that is a good move given that no-one else seemed to be interested which is surprising. You have an owner ready to spend money and while he likes to tweet, he’s not as bad as some others in the sport. How is this not an attractive position for someone?
Ohtani making noise that if the Angels don’t win, he may not want to stick around. I’m sorry: wasn’t the point to be closer to Japan? Now you care about winning? Should have been a Yankee. Enjoy .500 success.
SU continues to enjoy the Red Zone channel. Who knew what I was missing? No need to ever watch a full Giants or Jets game again.
Michigan basketball took it on the chin last night vs. Arizona. They have 3 McDonald’s All-Americans in the freshman class but as we see, going from high school to the college level is not always a smooth transition. However, SU is patient and I always enjoy the journey of watching a team evolve and develop over a season as kids figure things out. On the other hand, not sure who can make a 3-pointer on that team so there is that.
Jordan Poole is lighting it up for Golden State this year. Back-to-back 30+ point games. Golden State is once again must see TV. I have watched most of their games – that is fun basketball. On the other hand, the Knicks are searching for the right line-ups and SU says that you cannot base your offense on making 3-pointers in the NBA if you don’t have the shooters (I have done the research – the ball needs to go into the basket a certain percentage of the time). But they have some fun youngsters and Thibodeau has to figure out how to play the right guys and not destroy the confidence of players on the bench. Well, that is why he’s paid millions of dollars so get to work.
Finally, getting ready for Michigan – Ohio State this Saturday. On paper, it’s hard to see how Michigan can stay with the Buckeyes who have so many weapons on offense but as they say, play the game and let’s see what happens. I just hope the game does not come down to a Big Ten replay review of anything. There is no worse officiating in the country – and I am including Westchester County high school basketball here – than the Big Ten in either football or basketball. They never disappoint.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
No recognition for U Conn (20 vs SC (1) women’s tournament finals at noontime today??? Now that’s a must-see basketball game.
I did wish we kept Wade. The move was to trade Sanchez and Chapman if that was at all possible. I hope Urshella and Lemiehu rebound from last year. They were solid contact hitters with subpar performances. Voit should be our everyday DH. he had a stretch in which he was invincible at the plate. Boone then either took him out or maybe they were playing in a NL park for a few days and when he came back to the lineup, he was never the same. Why Gallo is in the starting lineup even though he is a very good outfielder is a mystery to me. He is worse than Dave Kingman at the plate. His style of hitting is why the Yankees can’t make it to the finish line. All or nothing team.
The Knicks have lived or died with the 3-point shot. They are getting good looks but if the pure shooters aren’t there then they will always be flirting near or slightly above 500.
Ohio State 35 Michigan 24
I am so looking for a Georgia and then Alabama – Ohio State matchup in the semi’s and then the finals. Anyone who can beat the cocky SEC is fine with me…. even the Jets. Cincy, who I hope gets in will finally get a real taste of playing a monster team and lose by double digits… probably by 13-14 points. That’s still respectable. Just ask Michigan State.
What happened to all the top NFL teams. None looked dominant. Don’t look now but KC is definitely in the conversation again. They were better than Dallas and should the final score should have looked more dominating. I still need to see the pats beat Buffalo to include them in the mix. At least the NFC East is showing that they aren’t as bad as last year.