These stories are like the polls leading up to the recent election: They mean absolutely nothing, they're just Gammonite pundit goulash, a cheap way to generate clicks, and fuck me, WHY DID I CLICK, WHY, WHY, WHY?
You. YOU DID IT. I view my job as Yankee psycho fan blogger is to stay "informed" and read the prevailing crapola of the day. YOU MADE ME DO IT.
And I did. I read the damn thing, and - of course - I'm depressed and disillusioned, even moreso than usual, because whatever happens with Soto - whether the Yankees empty the cupboard and get him, or they pull out their pockets and lose him - WHATEVER HAPPENS, we'll be screwed by his outlandish price tag, which will last 10 years and - at some point, now or later, will be a guaranteed boondoggle.
We've been here before, many times: Ellsbury, Pavano, Clemens, A-Rod, Giambi, Giancarlo, Rodon - nothing boosts Yankee fan angst like a massive contract that is going sour. Last year, Soto was a great deal, a perfect investment. Next year, he will be a contractual millstone, no matter how great is he is.
But if the Yankees let him go, they not only lose the AL East, but they'll lose New York City. No matter what happens, we're screwed.
But I wanna to get to the part of the ATHLETIC story that bothers me the most: It's this line:
"If they don’t sign Soto, expect them to immediately pivot to some combination of Anthony Santander, Christian Walker, Willy Adames and Tanner Scott."
Dear God.
Just for sake of reference:
Anthony Santander, 30, hit 44 HRs last year and batted .235. It was, by far, his career year. Also, one aspect of signing him: Santander would no longer be able to beat up on the Yankees, who he has tortured over over the years. He switch hits, so there's that.
Christian Walker, 33, hit 26 HRs and batted .251 for Arizona. He plays 1B and bats RH, overloading the Yankee lineup to that side.
Willy Adames, 29, hit 32 HRs and batted .251 last year. Another career year. He plays SS, which would mean moving Anthony Volpe to 2B and overhaul the infield. Nobody really believed that crap about Caleb Durbin, right? The Yankees never give kids a chance, not like Durbin, anyway. Adames also bats RH.
Tanner Scott, 30, is a closer. Last year, he went 9-6 with a 1.57 ERA and 22 saves (out of 24 chances.) This, I can see. We need arms. He threw 72 innings, his second highest total for a year. He's RH.
None of these guys, or all of them, can replace Soto. And none will be cheap. Whatever happens... screwed.
I liked Soto as a batter. Did I like him as a right fielder? No. Did I like him as a baserunner? Not really. Did I like him as a clutch late-inning hitter? Yes. Yes, I did. Did I like him as a fun guy around the clubhouse? I dunno. Was he one? I guess.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be great if we had a good fielding, better than average baserunning guy who came through in the clutch and could hit 40 home runs as long as a guy like Judge is protecting him in the lineup? Why, that guy would be worth...maybe...50 or 60 million dollars a year, for 12 or more years.
Man, that would be something.
The sense I get from Soto is he is someone that will want to get the deal done before the end of the year - which sorta kinda works against the Boras slog. My point is that we will likely know the team Soto will be playing for by week two/three of December. Then the fun truly begins as we all do our worst head first slides into 2025. Don’t forget to wear your digit saving oven mitts. Don’t have any you say? Ask for a pair for Christmas
ReplyDeleteBe sure to get the ones with the Yankees logo!
DeleteThey made the bases bigger, they allowed those ridiculous running mitts--nothing less than hand extenders--and they got Ohtani going 50-50. Wow. He did something nobody ever did before. When the bases were actual size and there were no hand extenders.
ReplyDeleteIf I was him, I'd be pissed off, because he's really fast and reads pitchers very well. He probably could have done it without the stupid changes, but now his record will always be followed by "yeah, but..."
✅
DeleteStrangely I've never heard that aspect talked about. I wonder why?
DeleteOhtani also did it in the replay era, when a millimeter of pinky raised bove the bag could mean out instead of safe. God bless Rickey, but hecstole more than a few bags on reputation. Not all of them would withstand scrutiny. So, ups and downs. Birdies and bogeys. Strikes and gutters. It evens out.
ReplyDeleteI can not believe I'm writing this but I hope they don't sign Soto.
ReplyDeleteWhy? Because even though the Yankees CAN afford him and other needed improvements they won't because... well we know why.
So using El Duque's players... it's a much better team .
LF Santander >>>> Verdugo. Kind of what Verdugo was supposed to be, Plus it puts Jasson in center where he will not be good but will have Judge on the right and Santander in Left to reduce the amount of area he has to cover. They did this for him in the minors.
Walker >>>>>> Then the too old and crippled Rizzo (Who I like). Do you think Walker doesn't make that play in the 5th? More power. Better fielder.
Willy Adames >> Volpe Also good with Leaving Volpe there moving Chaz back to second and playing Adams at third because the Yankees MUST have at least one player playing out of position.
Volpe >>>> Gleyber. He's probably a very good second baseman.Added bonus No Gleyber!
Tanner Scott Closes with Weaver as set up >>>>>> Weaver with ?? as set up.
Better use of limited $$$$. That said, Soto is truly great but baseball teams don't require great necessarily. It's not like he's a point guard or a 7 foot center who can clog the paint and score. He's also not Mahomes.
He's not even a #1 ace or a shut down closer. He gets 4-5 ABs and has to catch the ball a couple of times a game. The Angels had Othani and Trout and went nowhere.
Distribute the money!
As far as Durban goes... I was looking forward to Durbin's Turbans (with the NY logo) but hey, what are you going to do?
Durbin’s Turbans would have been the best
DeleteDoug, I can't disagree with you, either.
DeleteDoug, I agree completely. Especially when I think of the odds that Soto rips a knee during a celebration. And yes, considering that the Angels had the TWO GREATEST PLAYERS WHO EVER LIVED....
DeleteDoug, I cannot disagree with you.
ReplyDeleteHas Rufus left the country in protest and is now living in Freedonia?
ReplyDeleteThat would make sense because they have no internet service over there (although I've been told that they plan to introduce dial-up service plans in early 2027).
(asking for a friend)
Maybe he's taking some time off for questionable behavior.
DeleteAnyone back east need some rain?
ReplyDeleteGood news! The Yankees have re-signed Trent Grisham! Our nation is safe! That WS trophy is in my sweaty hands! Who needs Soto? Not when we have Trent Grisham!
ReplyDeleteWe finally got a bit, ourselves. Maybe I'll finally wash my face. As for Rufus, should we send up the Bat Signal? Some of us probably need a mental health break and he could be taking one and I would not blame him. Me? I'm finding moments of refuge here each day while taking care of a convalescing dog with a back issue - not easy. Of course, this is my tribe and I can at least let my hair down. Maybe I'll wash my hair one day, as well.
ReplyDeleteDoggy Tramadol and Trazadone….when was the last time you warshed your hair?
ReplyDeleteDoug, I could not DISagree with you more. I'll tell you why tomorrow.
ReplyDelete