Hal's Pals lost again yesterday, 10-9, to Toronto, because Vinnie Natoli (age 31) and Reggie McClain (29) gave up seven runs in the late innings, pitching to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Giancarlo Stanton hit two HRs, Miguel Cabrera and Rob Brantley each hit one. But look look LOOK at the lineup...
That's no misprint. Stanton played in right, Judge in center. Gallo - considered a gold glove fielder - held left. The only outfield in baseball that could start for an NFL defensive line. Cabrera took another turn at 3B.
Dare we believe the Yankees would use a flexible lineup in 2022?
One of the few hopeful signs from 2021 was Stanton's willingness - actually, his desire, it seemed - to play OF rather than clomp around the water cooler for nine innings. And the more the Yankees tried to bubble wrap him - to make him into a fulltime DH - the more delicate his muscles became.
Likewise, the Yankees seemed willing to let Miggy devolve into a one-dimensional, bat-only player. The more they tried to hide his glove, the more glaring his defensive lapses. This year, with Gio Urshela gone, 3B is Josh Donaldson, DJ LeMahieu or Miggy - and if that doesn't work, they'll summon the ghost of Clete Boyer.
Finally, Judge in center? Why not? Maybe it's a sign that Brett Gardner is NOT fated to return, and if/when Aaron Hicks goes down with his inevitable whatever-tweak, it won't mean the last prospect evaluations of Estevan Florial? Maybe we'll see some mix and match? Fine with me.
I'd write about Florial, but my nose always bleeds. Don't despair, Vinnie Natoli. Thy name aloneth ensures your future in NYC.
ReplyDeleteDare we believe the Yankees would use a flexible lineup in 2022?
The only problem with this idea is that Booooooone, in conjunction with the suits playing at the sabermetrics game will make those decisions.
Can you say "Clown Car" boys and girls?
Any player can play any position, right?
Brett isn’t coming back, Cashgrab has already started his next love affair with Locastro
ReplyDeleteMLB has 28-man rosters until May 1st. Gonzales has a good chance to make contributions to the team until that date...
ReplyDeleteYanks sign pitcher Shelby Miller..another scrap heap pickup…smh
ReplyDeleteThat’s all you’re gonna see Ranger, at least until the TD, and maybe even then.
ReplyDeleteNo rotation. No serious bats. Mediocre fielding. Bad management. Horrible front office. Owner who doesn't care.
ReplyDeleteI have never been so unenthusiastic about a Yankee season and I lived through the Yankees of the 1960s and 80s.
What assholes.
Florial has not come close to getting a hit. He is a washout. Let's just accept that and adopt another fantasy.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteHere's what Booooone (The Sock Puppet) had to say about Shelby Miller:
“He’s had success in this league,’’ Aaron Boone said. “He had early success in his career as a starter and we hope we can unlock some things to provide us with some upside and get to the potential he’s had all along.”
When have the Yankees EVER been able to do that? With anyone?
AAA first ballot hall of fame GM Brian Cashman doing what he does best with Shelby Miller acquisition...fortifying Scranton's roster and rotation. Another great year for baseball in northeast PA. Nobody assembles a AAA squad like Brian Cashman. He's the AAA GM 🐐.
ReplyDelete13bit,
ReplyDeleteAt least in the 60's and 80's we were idealistic children and young men,.
Now we are older and wiser and know a con when we see one.
There was at least hope back then. We could actually Leave it to Beaver.
now we know better.