Apologies for not posting sooner. SU has been more focused on the election the last several weeks which to be honest is more interesting (and important) than how much money Aaron Judge gets from the Yankees. However, SU has been giving some thought to the start of free agency and I have a few options for Hal Steinbrenner and the Yankees to consider.
Option 1: Many are expecting Hal to open the bank and sign not only Judge plus other big name free agents like Correa. Sure, that is an option but SU would prefer to see Hal re-sign Judge (yes) but then use his remaining budget to clear space for the youngsters. Looking at you Josh Donaldson and Aaron Hicks. Ship them out somewhere and eat the remaining money on their contracts in the process. I would rather see that happen than be limited budget-wise for other moves and end up keeping those two. They essentially block the next Gen players from getting significant playing time. This is the addition by subtraction option and probably fits into the Yankees’ budget.
Option 2: The bolder option is to re-sign Judge and then work a trade for Ohtani. This would energize the fan base. True, you would need to part ways with a couple of the top prospects including Volpe but as we all know, the Yankee prospects are always over-hyped and overrated. As in always. Be bold and get the fans excited for 2023.
SU believes they will trade Gleyber Torres for sure as it’s time to put LeMahieu at some position like 2nd base full time – or 3rd base if that is what is needed. You have to figure they bring back Anthony Rizzo for another 1 – 2 years.
SU was surprised that the Mets went for a 5-year, $102 million deal for Diaz as the closer. While he is only 28 years old, most relievers are up and down from year-to-year unless you are Mariano Rivera. A 5-year deal is unheard of for a reliever. SU assumes they still have money to bring back deGrom – perhaps overpay for 3 years. SU says the Mets are the most interesting team to watch in free agency. Their time to win is now.
Well, the Nets decided to not make the absolutely worst decision and hire the suspended Celtics coach to be their new coach this year. Looks like cooler heads prevailed on this one as they are having Jacques Vaughn manage the rest of the season. SU has noted that the team is playing better since Kyrie Irving was suspended – who would have thought that? Such a good guy. Btw, the general non-comment by the NBA players regarding Kyrie’s anti-Semitic actions are noted by SU. I guess the fact that there is one Jewish player in the NBA (on the Wizards) is not enough to draw more widespread condemnation. The Nets have to cut him loose and some team will surely pick him up as he is a top 10 player in the League and probably the best 1-on-1 player around. But his track record as a team wrecker is well-documented so proceed at your own risk NBA owners and GMs.
SU and several SU intergalactic subscribers took in the Rutgers – Michigan game last Saturday night. College football in-person is always one of the most fun and enjoyable experiences for a sports fan. For professional events, fans are too angry and pissed off (and drunk). I am not saying college sports are pure (and the students are certainly feeling no pain) but the environment is so much better – both for college football and basketball. Much preferred.
So, what should Hal do with Judge? He is going to cost $340 million or so for 8 years. Sign him? Let him go and get 2-3 high quality pieces?
Sports Update Intergalactic 
Option 2 would be George’s goal. Not only a great offensive 0layer but also another #1 pitcher, which we can use. He’s worth as much as Judge based on his multi stellar position.
The Yankke players simply were not as good as Houston nor Philly’s players. I wish we’d trade Stanton…the ultimate all or nothing hitter and a medical issue always waiting to happen. Upgrading our catches after seeing how Yrevino hit after the allstar break was disappointing.
I’m not impressed with a good chunk of our bullpen either.
The bullpen was actually solid for much of the year but injuries hit them especially hard combined with Chapman’s implosion. I think the catcher they traded for in the Spring from the Twins who was injured is supposed to be good. And they have a good prospect in AA I believe. Trevino is best used as a back up I think.
Everything went right for us until the All Star break. Almost everything went wrong for us afterwards. We were 8 games ahead of houston and the Dodgers until the “break.” We almost became the Red Sox of 1978. To not win a conservative 105 wins after we aere on track to win 120 at the All Star break tells you how the back of the player’s baseball card was exposed… execpt for Judge.
I think out relief pitches range from good to poor. No one is lights out nor simply one that causes hitters just to be happy to meet the ball. I saw way too many swings in which they hit the ball squarely.
Lastly, I am having great trouble calling Gerrit Cole a #1 pitcher. Yes he can throw a 2 run, 4 hitter with 11 strikeouts and 1 walk in 6 innings…but don’t you want your #1 pitcher to every so often pitch a shut out for m6-7 innings? I wonder if he gave up the most ho,me runs by any pitcher who are consdiered #1 or #2 pitchers on their team. That’s a problem…. Was he like that while pitching for Houston?
I was at the game too. Went to MSU game in Ann Arbor. Going to Columbus if both undefeated
Tim, you are building up the frequent flyer miles! Go Blue!