So what's new about that? Well, it was also the 19th career, two-homer game by a new Dodger—and a player the Yankees really could have had, for no more than the cash.
The man I'm talking about, of course, is J.D. Martinez, who has at least moved on to tormenting that other New York team after five years in Boston.
You remember. Way, way back in the 2017-2018 off-season? With the Yankees on the brink of what seemed like another dynasty, the team had a choice of pursuing Giancarlo Stanton or Martinez.
Thinking in the old, greedy Yankees way, I didn't see why they couldn't pick up both. But I'll confess: I thought Stanton was the better choice. So did most of us, though I remember Alphonso raging and foaming Cassandra-like warnings against that idea.
So what happened?
Well, I think we're better off breaking this down like the old Highlights magazine cartoon, Goofus and Gallant, a handy-dandy guide to boys about how they should behave—if they wanted to be beaten senseless every day of their childhoods on the playground.
For our purposes here, Gallant will be Martinez, seen in his recent colors:
And here is Goofus, complaining about another ouchie:
Gallant came to Red Sox for cash only, $109,950,000 of it over 5 seasons.
Goofus cost a serviceable second baseman and two minor leaguers. And the Yankees will be picking up $265,000,000 of his contract. Forever.
Gallant played in 90 percent of scheduled games as a Red Sock, 637 of 708.
Goofus has played in just over 63 percent of his games as a Yankee, 448 of 708, through 2022. But don't worry: this year he'll probably drive that percentage down even lower.
Gallant's splits for his time with the Red Sox were .292/.363/.526/.889.
Goofus's splits for the Yankees are .255/.339/.501/.839.
Gallant hit 130 home runs for the Red Sox.
Goofus has hit 115 home runs for the Yankees.
Gallant led the Red Sox to a World Series title in his first year with the club, batting .330/.402/.629/1.031, with 37 doubles, 43 homers, 111 runs scored, and a league-leading 130 RBI. He finished 4th in the AL in MVP voting.
Goofus led the Yankees to a wild-card play-in spot in his first year with the club, batting .266/.343/.509/.852, with 34 doubles, 38 homers, 102 runs scored, and 100 RBI. He finished 19th in the AL MVP voting. But he also struck out 211 times!
Gallant hit .357/.421/.571/.992 against the Yankees in their four-game playoff series that same, 2018 season, homering, driving in 6 runs, and walking 3 times without a strikeout.
Goofus, in that playoff, hit .222/.222/.222/.444 against the Red Sox. Which you have to admit is a wonderful statistical anomaly. He didn't hit aaannny thing other than a single and didn't drive in aaaannnny runs at all or get aaaaaannnnny walks. But he did strikeout 6 times in those 4 games, including one against a relief pitcher in the critical last inning who could not have found the plate with a GPS, a compass, and two service dogs.
Gallant homered again and drove in 5 more runs in Boston's five-game triumph over the Dodgers in the 2018 World Series.
Goofus...but don't worry. With Goofus, the Yankees will neeeeevvvvvver be in the World Series again!
Thanks Hoss for the funny take on a sad story.
ReplyDeleteI Never wanted Stanton. Never wanted Rodon.
And now for the most unpopular opinion of them all: I didn’t want the Yankees to sign Judge to a such a long term deal. I realize we seemed to have no other choice. His performance last year was truly awesome, but we may already be seeing the start of the decline. And as Duque mentioned earlier today it was done for the wrong reasons: to avoid a PR conflagration. I will add that it was also an attempt to perpetuate the NYY brand. A homegrown superstar to be marketed to lightweight fans, a la Jeter. If you think the current roster is lacking, wait a few years as Judge, Cole, DJLM, Rizzo, Hicks, Rodon, and especially Stanton age even more. Even the watered down playoffs will be a bridge too far. What about our young players? Well, what about them? Play them and let’s find out. For every Judge or Jeter there a dozen Severinos and Sanchezes.
Still, what is a certainty in today’s game? Brito looked like a crafty pitcher his first 2 outings, then got slapped around like Curly Howard the third time out. Whey will tonight bring? Our buddy Jordan Montgomery got raked last night after a good start to the year. Maybe that IS why they actually play the games. And maybe none of this really matters at all.
Goofus will have the last laugh!
ReplyDeleteDumb decisions are a joy forever.
ReplyDeleteYou okay, 999?
ReplyDeleteI know, I know. I sometimes feel the same. That's what Brian Cashman's funhouse mirrors do to you.
Judge, I would've signed, even if he'll never be as good again. He'll be plenty good, and they have the money. But I know what you mean.
Really, they should not have re-signed LeMahieu—it was just that they had absolutely nothing else to fill his role. Such is Cashie land, too.