As if the news about MLB's plan to start the destruction of the minor leagues is not depressing enough, Coops has given notice that—as predicted in this space—Lettuce Romine is soon to be replaced by Higgy.
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-brian-cashman-kyle-higashioka-austin-romine-backup-catcher-20191115-vadpscplzfgxtbzez2ehrdhnp4-story.html#nt=interstitial-auto
Sure, the Gammonites and other Coops fans will make out that this is just Cashman doing some hardball negotiating. But that is hardly likely to work.
With 18 homers and 77 ribbies in 149 games over the past two years, Romine won't be bluffed. He will just go, to start for one of a dozen other possible teams who will be more than happy to have such a catcher.
(One of them may well be your New York Mets).
Close readers of the GM's comments here will note that, once again, the whole obsession is with minor-league options.
Higgy is now out of them, Cashy tells us. Hence, he will be retained and Romine allowed to walk, never mind the fact that Austin is vastly more experienced and, um, better, with a lifetime OPS that's over 100 points higher.
And special bonus: HAL will save another $1.2 million over last year's payroll, and likely $10-$20 million over a potential new Romine contract.
So what's not to like? Well, sure, you're talking about the potential of significantly diminishing the not unimportant position of back-up catcher, and catastrophically diminishing it if the much-injured starter is injured again.
But who cares about that?
Certainly not the people who run the New York Yankees.
Next up? The planned deconstruction of Miguel Andujar, as Coops once again talks about how HE still has minor-league options!
done done done
ReplyDeletecash is a weapons-grade MO-ron, as LBJ (the president, not the esteemed blog fellow) might have said in that slow Texas drawl...
NOT RETAINING ROMINE IS OUTRIGHT INSANITY.
ReplyDelete....ARE WE TRYING TO LOSE?
HOW CAN WE AFFORD NOT TO SIGN HIM WITH SANCHEZ AROUND?
HIGGY IS NOT A #2!
HE IS A #3!
Higgy is insurance, not a viable backup if (when) Romine walks. Who else is in the system? Oh sure, Coop can find a scrap heap buffoon, but that will not end well.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI really want the world to know about this great man who brought back happiness into my life again after my husband left me and the kids 3 years ago for another women online when i contacted Dr Believe he cast a love spell for me within 48 hours my ex husband start calling me and begging for forgiveness for everything that have happened between us. I was so happy to have my family back together with love again here is the email of Dr Believe via believelovespelltemple@gmail.com a man with the great powers you can also call him or add him on Whats-app: +2348156148821
God bless you
I am very grateful for your help in my marriage.