They pop up like internet ads to momentarily don that famed Starr Insurance patch. They never excite or demoralize. If they're lucky, we'll share one moment, maybe never to be forgotten. (Example: Slate Heathcott's HR v the Rays?)
So it went yesterday with three minor Yank moves, including one they tabled, as the 40-man roster comes into view. On the Earthquake Scale, they were maybe a combined 2.1 - the impact of a fat lady next door falling out of bed.
Let's study them, one by one.
They traded earnest Jake Bauers for two dirt-league OFs. On opening day for Scranton, Jake whacked two HRs, giving us hope that Cashman might have scrounged up something usable from the MLB scrap yard. The Death Barge called him up on April 29, and he homered in his second game. Basically, it was all downhill from there. He hit two against the Dodgers in June, but finished at .202, a base hit above Mendoza.
In the trade, we get two baby prospects, both buried so deeply in the Brewers system that the ice caps might have melted before we see either. Frankly, I'm surprised we got anybody. Good luck to Jake, who is 28, FWIW.
They jettisoned Albert Abreu, Lou Trivino and Anthony Misiewicz. Declined to tender contracts. Of the trio, "Double A" Abreu is most notable: He came in the trade for Brian McCann, back when we did business with the unscrupulous Astros. Double-A's fastball wowed the scouts, but barely registered a jeepers from MLB hitters. Honestly, of the three, it's the unspellable Misiewicz I'll most remember: He got leveled by a liner that bounced all the way into right field and stole my breath. For a moment, I thought I'd seen a guy die. Hope he's well. He's 29, FWIW.
We kept Kyle Higashioka. For now, anyway. The Yankees are protecting six catchers on their 40-man: Higgy, Jose Trevino, Biceps Ben Rortvedt, Austin Wells, Carlos Navaez, and Augustin Ramirez. Somebody's gotta go. If it's Higgy - lifelong friend to Gerrit Cole and the man who caught Mr. Perfect, Domingo German - we'll sigh at the turning of a page. Everybody loves Higgy. But he'll be 34. Damn. Can we keep six catchers?
The biggest loss - ok not really because of the whole Tommy John recovery thing -- was Trevino. I know he only appeared in a handful of games but this throw-in as part of the Montas trade actually looked like the best player in the deal.
ReplyDeleteWho could have predicted that his arm was scotch-taped on? Who could have seen that he was a pitch away from a season ending injury? Who could possibly have known that BOTH pitchers we got from the A's were essentially worthless?
It's not like it was anybody's job to determine these things.
You can keep as many C’s as you want, but 6 on the 40 man, especially on a team seemingly bereft of OFers, is too much. If Wells hits, he could be a candidate to move to 1B, especially with intriguing prospects like Ben Rice on the rise. Apparently, according to Analytics, you can play anyone anywhere,
ReplyDeleteDoug that's what happens when you choose WAR over health reports in trades...
ReplyDeleteKeep Wells, and Higgy as backup. Everyone else gets a fond farewell. Maybe we can get a box of Cracker Jacks for the rest.
ReplyDeleteSpecial mention to Trevino (Doug, I think you meant TrIvino), who had his one really good year with the Yankees and was an All Star. That was his peak. It's all downhill from there.
Why the fuck did we ever get Ben Weightroom to start with? Waste of space.
Waste of space
ReplyDeleteAll over the place
With Abreau gone, who will come into the game in the 3rd when Rodon is pitching?
ReplyDeleteC.S. ~ that’s positive, wishful thinking!
ReplyDeleteDo you honestly believe that Roundon is going to last past the 2nd inning?
JM
ReplyDeleteLou Trivino was the reliever who was a throw in on the Montas deal. He was actually pretty good until he hurt his arm.
"The New York Yankees have acquired right-handed starter Frankie Montas and closer Lou Trivino in a deal with the Oakland Athletics, the Yankees announced Monday.
The A's are receiving left-handers Ken Waldichuk and J.P. Sears, right-hander Luis Medina and second baseman Cooper Bowman from the Yankees. Waldichuk, 24, was the fifth-highest-ranked prospect in the Yankees' farm system, according to MLB.com"
---
Jose Trevino is still most likely their #1 or #2 catcher.
"For the second time in three weeks, the New York Yankees have traded for a backup catcher. The Yankees have acquired backstop Jose Trevino from the Texas Rangers for righty Albert Abreu and lefty Robby Ahlstrom, both teams announced. Trevino figures to be New York's Opening Day backup catcher"
We later got back Abreu - who we just cut.
---
Then there's Lee Trevino
"Lee Trevino - is an American retired professional golfer who is regarded as one of the greatest players in golf history. He was inducted to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1981."
Hope that clears it up. :)
BTW - I see I spelled it wrong originally. Hence the confusion.
ReplyDeleteTypical for The Genius. To make roster space, Cashman dumps his pickup stiffs or The Yankees nodevelopmental stiffs. Do npy dispair, new stiffs on the way.
ReplyDeleteCarlos Narvaez showed promise early on, but now he's a 24-year-old who hit .240 with 10 homers at Scranton last year, and a lifetime, .249 hitter in the minors, where he has been since 2016. Agustin Ramirez (only one "u" in the first name), is 22, and had a very mixed season last year, hitting a combined .271 as he moved from A to high-A to Double-A ball.
ReplyDeleteBoth seem to have become steadily worse fielders the longer they have been in the Yankees' system, their caught-stealing rates plunging precipitously. I don't think either would be a huge loss—but for the love of Pete, get rid of Biceptvedt first!
Is it wrong to want both Yamamoto and Bellinger on the team ?
ReplyDeleteThat and a few other castaway pick ups is all I want for Christmas, Santa Hal and CashElf.
Please don’t let me down.
A/A, leaked docs show that cashman believes Yankee fans were “naughty” this year for their mean-spirited criticisms and false narratives and will only be getting a lump of coal in their collective stockings… and he didn’t mean Gerrit Cole 💀💀💀💀
ReplyDeleteBTR999 - it may have been me who was the one responsible for peeing on those docs . . .
ReplyDeleteNo, it's not wrong at all, AA! In fact...it's a beautiful thought.
ReplyDeleteYamamoto, Bellinger, and Soto. I look at these players and ask, why not? Seriously! Before Judge and Cole are too old.
They won't do it. We're getting Kevin Kiermaier, who I predict will play exactly 58 games for us in 2024. No, all the horseshit under the tree doesn't mean there's a pony somewhere.