The Braves and A's are stocked with talent and gunning for a pennant; presumably, they would offer us prospects, and it would be nice to restock our farm system for a change. The Twins and Padres are perpetually rebuilding, and would likely try to give us a salary dump. The Rangers have IF Jurickson Profar, whom the Yankees have reportedly sought in the past; Texas could basically be offering to match Sonny with a comparable disappointment of their own.
As always, 1) the devil will be in the details, and 2) Cashman almost never plays his hand publicly, so the rumors usually mean nothing.
But but BUT... This new public campaign to trade Sonny - now with daily rumors of trade partners - represents an evolution of sorts for Brian "Cooperstown" Cashman. Usually, when our mustached-GM is smitten by a "power arm," the baseball equivalent of Hollywood's Manic Pixie Dream Girl, Cash remains in love for the length of the contract. (Think of Michael Pineda, who returned year after year, always with a new reason to jilt us.)
I raise this because - hey - James Paxton! It's interesting how quickly Paxton has become a "steal," and how soon it took the Gammonites to realize that Justus Sheffield has deep set control issues and will fail in the majors. I'm not trying to diss the deal, merely to remind us that, two weeks ago, Sheffield was our treasured top prospect and a potential impact rookie for 2019. And strength of farm system was supposedly our last big advantage over Boston. (Remember when it used to be money? Remember being accused of buying pennants? Them was the days.)
Listen: We all hope Paxton will be our Josh Beckett, our Justin Verlander, our Chris Sales, our Cliff Lee... the big game pitcher that Cashman, throughout his career, has consistently sought and never landed. This year, we're doing something new. We're jettisoning Sonny Gray while his "sell by" date remains viable. Interesting. That's all. I wonder what we'll get?
Different subject: Memory.
ReplyDeleteI just watched a 30-min TV thing (from MLB TV) showing highlights of the `1978 World Series.
Yes -- reliving a bit of happiness. I lived in Manhattan in '78, went to a number of games.....sometimes just catching the subway to the Bronx after work, without tickets (bought them there, of course).
The highlight reel included Game 5, in which (according to the announcer) the Yankees got 18 hits -- 16 of them singles, setting a record of some sort.
Box score here:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA197810150.shtml
Now, can you even imagine the current team going thru any given game (regular season, playoffs, World Series) getting 16 singles?
Or maybe....16 strikeouts.....?
That team had Paul Blair, Roy White, Mickey Rivers, Lou Pinella, Reggie, Nettles, Bucky Effing Dent, and Thurman. If I remember them with a big stupid smile, it's not only because they won.
The team was just fun to watch. In a 162-game season, fun-to-watch is vital, isn't it? That's what the Red Sox fans had this year.
Did we?
Joe, it was a great team. I miss that type of player.
ReplyDeleteAs for Sonny, do you think his physical size has psychologically slotted him for success only in a small market? Just an idea.
If Rizzuto was around, he'd be Little Sonny Gray.
He'll win 20 for the Pods. Watch. But they'll still go nowhere.
GREAT ANALOGY JOE FORMERLY....
ReplyDeleteThat was my favorite Yankee Team /Era.
ReplyDeleteJust like Joe FOB, my buddies and I would head to the stadium any given night, just because. I was in college but the price of admission was bupkis. You could even park on the street or park near Woodlawn and take the subway in.
The whole experience cost less than what a beer does now. Even adjusting for inflation etc. Seeing the Yankees was not only affordable it was the best place in NY to spend the summer. I guess that's gone now.
One time I took this girl who was in NY to work as a au-pair to watch the Yankees. She was from North Dakota. The stadium was sold out and she could get over that:
A) There were this many people in one place and she didn't know any of them. and B)There were more people in that building than in her county. It was kind of cool.
I was always a fan but that Yankee Summer is really the reason that I'm on this blog. Fan for life.
Doug K.
One of the best rants on Yankee Stadium prices was done by the late Kid From Brooklyn. Its about 8 yrs old so a bit dated.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AViLfaXmdA
His best is his Starbucks, also dated as its 15 yrs old. But you'll laugh your balls off. Joe F will particularly like this rant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DyG60KT-MY
Carl,
ReplyDeleteThat was great. Thanks. The only sad thing is now everything is twice that!
Doug K.
So now the latest rumors are the Yankees reacquiring Joggy Cano and cash for Ellsbury. Wouldn't be bad if we could spin off Cano for some decent prospects.
ReplyDeleteThe other rumor is the D-backs trading Goldschmidt (last year of contract, 31 years old) for Bird and Frazier. The trade possibly expands with Greinke added (maybe with some cash) for Gray and Loaisiga. Also not a bad deal especially if the Yankees have totally given up on Bird. Personally, I think Bird's feet were still bad last year and if healthy could be nearly as productive as Goldschmidt. But....that's a BIG if. Also if that doesn't preclude the Yankees from signing Corbin.
I would probably make that trade. But I don't see why the Diamondback would. Bird is a big nothing and Frazier is damaged goods. I would think that trading the best 1B in baseball (even for a year) has to be worth more than that.
ReplyDeleteDoug K.
The only reason D-Backs make that trade is to dump salary and bet on both Bird and Frazier being healthy for at least a year if not longer.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Joe FOB.
ReplyDeleteAnd forget that terrific World Series game (Jim Beattie's first complete game in the majors, incidentally).
In the famous "Boston Massacre" of Sept. 7-10 that year, the Yanks outscored the Red Sox in Fenway, 42-9. They outhit them, 67-21, and drew 19 walks to Boston's 10.
Of those 67 hits, only TWO went for home runs. No fewer than 56 of them were singles. 56 SINGLES!
In the first game of the series, a 15-3 win, the Yanks had 21 hits—4 doubles, 1 triple, and 16 SINGLES.
Second game, a 13-2 win: 1 double, 1 triple, 2 home runs, and 13 SINGLES.
Third game, a 7-0 "pitchers' duel": 2 doubles, 9 SINGLES.
Fourth game, a modest, 7-4 triumph: 18 SINGLES!
18 SINGLES! Who the hell does that??? The Yanks had a .459 OBP on the series. When you throw in all the Red Sox errors, they were getting on at a .490 clip.
It remains, I think, the all-time greatest example of taking what you're given.
"You're going to pitch us real carefully so we don't hit dingers over the Green Monster? Great! We will just nickel-and-dime you TO DEATH!"
That team—and the 1998 era teams, and all the greatest Yankees teams—could beat you six ways to Sunday.
And yeah, Doug K., it was just $2.50 for day-of-game tickets—usually readily available—in the upper deck. At a time when movies cost $3-$4. Best deal in town!
ReplyDelete
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