Get out the Bissell. Meanwhile...
When Joey Gallo came from Texas, we were told to expect not merely a HR-W-K automation, but a Gold Glove LF. Uh-huh? Friday, his 10th inning throw home landed 10 feet up the line. Yesterday, he botched a sinking liner and then played a ball off the wall in the best imitation of Bobby Abreu. (He also made a base-running error, ludicrously seeking to take 2b against Jackie Bradely Jr.) And before you blame the sun, it didn't affect Alex Verdugo in LF, who made several fine plays. It's way too early to get out the tar - or even to boo (though we can mutter) - but nine months after arriving in NYC, Gotham Gallo has yet to show up.
This weekend, the Yank brain trust showed the world just how big-hearted it is, by publicizing its $230 million, eight-year contract offer to Aaron Judge. Who does not feel anger at such a greedy scumbag, holding his team for ransom, squeezing its beloved employer for all the money he can get. I'm sure he'll hear it from the fans - every time he strikes out. Of course, I'm sure the Gammonites, in covering the Yankees' generosity, will tell us how much Hal Steinbrenner pays himself each year. Right?
Meanwhile, Judge ought to be keenly aware that Verdugo - the star of Boston's weekend - came in the trade of Mookie Betts. If the Yankees are stumbling next August, they would be right to explore whatever they can get.
Don't we all feel that the Yankiverse is a kinder, gentler place when Giancarlo Stanton plays OF? He enjoyed his best seasons in Miami, wandering LF like an overfed manatee. There will come a time when he becomes a DH-only. But the more the Yankees tried to encase him bubble wrap, the more delicate Stanton became. Moral of the story: Let the big dogs run...
For the record... on the season, thus far...
The Cubs' Clint Frazier is one for one, with a double.
The Twins' Gio Urshela is one for three with a homer. And Gary Sanchez is oh for four - but not one strikeout. Comeback Player of the Year?
Carnac: Spinal Tap, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind.
ReplyDeleteEd: Spinal Tap, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind.
Carnac: Mnnn. May you reincarnate as Luke Voit's jockstrap... Spinal Tap, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind...
(opens envelope)
Carnac: Name two Chris Guest movies and the result of a Joey Gallo at bat.
Thanks for the update on Frazier, Sanchez etc. That's a fun thing to keep an eye on.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of updates...
Last night:
SS Oswald Peraza 4-5, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K, 2 SB
And
After seeing the three players mentioned below hanging out in the dugout during yesterday's game...
Here's a question...
What do Josh Donaldson, Rizzo, and Aaron Judge have in common?
Answer: Far too much.
Think about it! :)
After his first AB today, Gary is now 1 for 5 with 4 RBI.
DeleteNot impressed with Isiah Kiner-Falefa so far. 0-8 with 6 LOB and a couple defensive misplays.
ReplyDeleteThe Yankees bullpen looks fantastic though: 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R yesterday. Of course, Boone will burn the unit to the ground by the time October comes around as usual.
Josh Donaldson has swung at 21/36 pitches so far, which is extremely aggressive. I seem to remember him being a more selective hitter when he was in his prime with Toronto.
The question of “What to do about Aaron Judge?” may loom large as the season progresses. If the team falls out of the pennant race (seems unlikely, but not impossible) do we trade him in July? We probably wouldn’t get fair value for a two month rental.. what happens in the off season? For me, it circles back to the all consuming question of this blog: is this team more concerned with winning or excess profit?
ReplyDeleteSuccess for this team is measured in the accounting books, not on the field.
ReplyDeleteThey will not trade Judge, just for those reasons. And frankly, I don't think Cashman is capable of making such a deal (See my extended exegesis in the last post, if you happen to be that bored this lovely Palm Sunday.)
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of reasons to trade Judge, particularly if we don't intend to sign him. But instead, we're going to just sit on him so that our brilliant ownership can assure Wild Card Contention for the rest of the season.
Then he will leave, for nothing—the worst of all possible outcomes. While we will be expected to start snapping up 2023 seasons plans and Pequod++ packages based on the forthcoming, Volpe-for-Soto trade.
After that, HAL will attempt to interest fans in investing in his latest real estate development, the purchase of a stately but still beloved bridge across the East River.
So far, I'd say, this team is performing about as well as can be expected—which is what frightens me.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that, right now, Cooperstown Cashman is just hugging himself, and murmuring, 'Oh, just wait until Gallo starts to hit!'
Uh-huh.
Maybe Falafel just has the yips—new town, new city, etc. But he's a zero at the plate, and if he doesn't up his game at short...
As Duque notes, Joey Whiffs was supposed to be a great gloveman, too. He's not. (Our Peerless Leader charitably left out his playing a single off the wall into a double in Game 1, which led to another Sox run.)
The best development so far? Boston doesn't look that great. But don't count on that continuing. Smart people run that ball club.
As for Joey Whiffs, maybe he WAS a great gloveman and maybe he WAS a good baserunner, but if you put the baserunning blunder and the misplays in the outfield together I'm coming to the conclusion that he's lost a step...but it's an extremely small sample size...
ReplyDeleteSanchez might be Comeback Player of the Day.
ReplyDeleteDoug- Simsalabim!...may your daughter fall in love with and marry Harvey Weinstein.
Carnak: Penis Rabinowitz.
ReplyDeleteEd: Penis Rabinowitz.
Carnak: (opens envelope) What was Cock Robin’s name before he changed it.
Do you think the Nats would take Judge and Gleyber for Juan Soto? DJ could play second every day until Peraza gets here, and Soto would be a great replacement for Judge. We might have to throw in Volpe, too.
Ret Strat,
ReplyDeleteThat's a good trade for both teams and very fair. I'd do it in a heartbeat.
I am weary of this front office and its shananigans. Weary, I say.
ReplyDeleteYankee BS is Yankee Bs. Cheapskate Hal and The Genius are full of it and themselves. In all my years of watching and coaching High School Baseball, I have never watched as poor as a hitter as Joey K. Finally, on the Judge negotiations, The Genius got in touch with Fred and Jeff Coupon. The Coupons would negotiate with a free agent or potential free agent. This way they could say that they made an effort. Then they would allow the player to sign with another team.
ReplyDelete