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Friday, May 5, 2017

Yet another thought about - what else? - MOAB...

For months now, we've heard about Food Stamps Hal Steinbrenner's secret plan: Get the payroll under the luxury tax limit, then go for broke in 2018-2019 by signing Bryce Harper and/or Manny Machado. From there, coupled with the youngins, we will launch the 1,000-year dynasty. Simple.

But in that beloved scenario, we never foresaw the kind of impact player that Aaron Judge might become. (He isn't there yet.) If Judge becomes an all-star right fielder, a question arises: Do we still chase Harper, the predestined Yankee? Both would play RF. Harper bats left, Judge right - a helluva one-two. But what about Clint Frazier, Blake Rutherford or other emerging OF prospects? Would there be room for Harper?

Likewise, if Gleyber Torres continues to evolve - along with Didi Gregorius - what happens to Machado? Braced by the successes of Judge, Gary Sanchez and (fingers crossed, Greg Bird) would we need another hitter?

Obviously, there's a Johnstown flood of water yet to flow before any decisions get made. But here's a thought. Instead of chasing Harper and Machado, the Yankees might use all their 2019 movie money to sign Kershaws and Baumgarners. 

No complaints, but that long-held fantasy of Bryce Harper in our outfield might be vanishing with every MOAB dinger. And the real moral of the story is that every aspect of the Yankees future changes, depending on how real this guy is. 

8 comments:

13bit said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
13bit said...

Without a doubt, we go for pitching at this point. Alligator arms will have to get some hand extensions and reach into those deep pockets of his to free up some change for pitching. We don't need any more position players. And, I might add, we don't trade any farm talent for said pitching.

The Ghost of Yankees Past said...

I never bought into Harper and Manny as players the Yankees should go after. Their contracts will be huge and for more years than they will be productive. Hopefully we learned that lesson . Can you say A Rod, CC and Tex ? Two of the three good guys. But face it, at the end, their contracts sucked up $$$ that could have been used elsewhere. To win long term you need to grow your own and avoid the multiple penalties associated with going over the luxury tax threshold. I don't see huge free agent contracts as part of a winning formula in today's game.

We should have alll the offense we need once we figure out who the real players are among the kids. Starting pitching will be a need. But even there a long term huge contract has little appeal. A trade for a starter who doesn't carry a long term over priced contract, select free agent signings for a number two or three starter or a Holliday type position player would make more sense in my view.

Anonymous said...

He ain't spending any more money. He's gotten so tight that he squeaks when he walks....m

Alphonso said...

Pitching is the answer. We just cannot expect to keep scoring 11 runs a game, and be saved by the middle innings duo of Warren and Clippard.

But, even if more by accident than plan, keeping our cards in our hand and relying on the talent within the organization, is pretty much working.

Reaching out, once every year or so for a Matt Holliday, is like when we went out and got Dave Justice. The team is adding to a single, specialized need. Not using " deals" to staff seven positions out of nine.

Stay with the plan. But focus on pitching.

13bit said...

Stay with the plan - YES. Focus on pitching - YES. and let's all not forget, in the erectile excitement of the moment, that we need to be patient...

Parson Tom said...

Oh, ye of little faith. (I'm talking about myself.) I was practically suicidal until Gardner jacked one for three runs in the bottom of the 9th with two outs. Elation. Yay! Then Headley boots the first out. Suicide again. Screaming mad. But El Chapo showed them how they won the World Series and it was all over.

Great win!!!!!

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