Were Jamie a modern Yankee fan, she'd say, "You can't trade the boogeyman."
She'd be referring to Gary Sanchez.
For the last three winters of our discontent, the Death Barge has talked about trading Sanchez, the prime target for fan rage and wrath. But Brian Cashman never pulls the trigger. He checks the market for catchers, quantifies what other GMs will give up, and weighs this against the horrifying fear that Sanchez - once free of the stress-filled doghouse Cashman has built - would have a breakout, MVP year. And so Cashman does nothing.
Say what you wish about Cash, he is not stupid. He knows a potentially career-killing trade when he sees it.
But but BUT... Sanchez must go, right? I mean, if Gary is our catcher on April 1, Yank fans will unleash a Rudy Giuliani capitol insurrection, right?
When the Yankees lost to Boston in the wild card - the most important game of the year - Kyle Higashioka started at catcher. (Officially, this is because Gerrit Cole pitched, and Higgy is his personal caddy.) Sanchez pinch hit for him in the seventh, with the Yankees down 6-1. He swung at the first pitch, a Gary-like thing to do. He lashed a liner to center, where the over-shift was positioned.
We assumed that was it - Gary's last dance in pinstripes. Surely, Cashman won't bring him back, right?
Well, I wonder. The closer we get to November, the uglier the catcher market looks. And the more that Yank fans target Sanchez with their tomatoes, the less Cashman can seek in return. Last winter, Sanchez's .146 average made him virtually untradeable. He's not as rancid as he was in 2020, but he's no Mookie Betts. As for free agents, grab your cowboy hat, because it's Slim Pickens. Here are the top free agent catchers. (Keep in mind, red salaries mean the clubs still have options.)
Buster Posey isn't going anywhere. Ditch the team options, and you've got a geriatrics center. What's more, the lefty bat that the Yankees so desperately need is not to be found. And though Higgy had his moments in 2021, his game deteriorated when he played every day.
The Yankees have several catchers in the low minors. One might be ready by, say, next September. Or maybe never.
Halloween came out in 1978, the year the Yankees beat the Dodgers 4-2 in the World Series. Our catcher was Thurman, who still isn't in the Hall. (Isn't it time for Yankee fans to start breaking things over this?) We had Jorge Posada in the 1990s, and - well - not much since. (Remember Jesus Montero?) Gary was supposed to be our next great catcher...
Well, it's Halloween, time to be horrified. And here's the most horrifying thing I can write: Maybe, just maybe... you can't trade the boogeyman.
Well, it’s his walk year, maybe that’ll light enough fire under his ass for Cashman to launch him at the deadline
ReplyDeleteI'd take Romine back. I hated to see him go.
ReplyDeleteYeah, he's no Thurm. But thank God, he's no Sanchez, either.
We need to get younger...all these catchers are on the other side of their careers...
ReplyDeleteDoesn’t need to get younger, needs to be a guy that can hold it down until Sands or Wells is ready.
DeleteGary Sanchez is the backup catcher and gleybar is the backup utility infielder. Sign a first string catcher who can catch and sign Seager at short
ReplyDeletePassed balls, lousy plate discipline, bone (no brain) headed base running skills, arrogance, indifference and a definite lack of hustle - Gary Sanchez is really, REALLY something special.
ReplyDelete@Dantes...the way this organization works, Sands or Wells wont be ready until they are 28...jeez....
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter anyway.
ReplyDeleteWhy are you all scrambling with ideas to re-build the team?
To make yet another run at the one game play-in game? Is that really worth all the anguish?
Just " go with the flow.
The leading teams are playing " modern era" baseball. The yankees are in the 1950's.
They have" latté grandes" at Starbucks, and we have manhattans in the Blue room of the Algonquin Hotel.
They scramble , hustle, make plays and run. We sit and read Dickens.
They win.
We polish trophies and iron old banners.
No deal in the off-season will change any of that.
Alphonso, please consider...
ReplyDelete1. When watching the Yankees bumble about on the field, would you rather have a manhattan or a latte?
2. A good manhattan is a utility player. You can have it with breakfast, brunch, lunch, lupper, supper or dinner. The latte, on the other hand, is a Luke Voit.
3. A manhattan in hand wins the hearts of the ladies at the bingo hall. What do lattes win for you, millennials and their avocado toasts?
4. How many lattes in a row can one drink, anyway?
Howevah! after all those manhattans, one pukes his guts out or suffers terrible headaches. Much like one does at the end of the Yankees season. So I guess you are right?
Fucking Yankees
For the record - one can still enjoy manhattans whilst root root rootn' for the Hankee$
ReplyDelete