1) Roki Sasaki, the “Monster of the Reiwa Era,” Cheap!!!
From the NY Post: "The Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball announced overnight that they intend to make the star starting pitcher available through the posting system that will make Sasaki the kind of bargain even tiny markets can fit into a budget.
The right-hander throws 100 mph, is renowned for a devastating splitter and turned 23 last week."
The scuttlebutt is that he will sign with the Dodgers. But if he would rather be THE Japanese Ace as opposed to "Another Japanese Ace" he should think about the Yankees.
Boy would that fix the rotation.
2) Christian Walker 1B 1/3 Soto Money
From SI : "Walker, 33, is coming off a solid season with the D-backs, though it was shortened by an oblique injury that kept him out for all of August. Still, the veteran posted yet another good offensive year with Arizona, slashing .251/.335/.468, with 26 home runs and 84 RBI.
As has been his standard, he put up an excellent defensive season, racking up 13 Outs Above Average, a .998 fielding percentage, and +7 defensive runs saved, earning him a nomination and chance for his third straight Gold Glove Award."
Should cost 60M for three years. He should hold up. Gold Glove defense. Solid hitter.
3) Carlos Estevez Closer 1/3 Soto Money
From SI: "The talented righty was truly dominant in 2024, recording a 2.45 ERA across 54 appearances and 55 innings with 50 strikeouts. He had a minuscule 0.909 WHIP, doing a wonderful job of limiting base runners throughout the year.
4) Bring up Caleb Durbin Cheap!
5) Sign Soto (OK I lied)
Gotta sign him!
Most of the online chatter about Sasaki has him going to the Dodgers, but we should be involved as well. The #18 uniform is still available.
ReplyDeleteAge could be a concern for walker. Money best spent elsewhere, like on…
…Estevez. A must have.
Durbin. YES! Should be anointed as a starter. Can play 3B as well, if we’re being honest Chisolm’s best defensive position is CF, and the more I see of JD, the less impressed I am. Still, he must be given an opportunity, but it’s always best to be…prepared.
Soto? Well… if you must. /S.
Sasaki? Yes! But he'll sign with the Dodgers, as will Soto....
ReplyDeleteWalker? I dunno. D-Back offensive numbers are often a desert mirage. Plus, at 33, is the next Rizzo or DJ? If he wasn't on that track, the Yankee training and conditioning squad will break him like a breadstick.
Durbin and Chisholm both play best at 2nd. Chisholm might do okay at CF, but I'd need to see his throws from the outfield to be sure.
The Martian always entices with his bat, but his fielding? Yeesh. Woof. (shakes head sadly). Read him the riot act and leave him in Tampa for the winter. Or better yet, find competent defensive training OUTSIDE the Yankee organization and leave him there for the winter.
You fellows need to stay away from what's rational and engage in more magical thinking, Cash-style. What has-been is going to blossom again under our tutelage and bathing in the holy waters of the Bronx? What injured soul can be healed by our tender training staff? Who amongst the pitching contingent needs to change their mechanics? What guy with a lifetime B.A. of 216 can we slot in at leadoff? THESE are the important questions in Yankeedom at the moment. And, more to the point, WHAT'S IN THE BARGAIN BIN? Hal has to shop with food stamps. We need a deal.
ReplyDeleteSoto. Don't take your eye off the generational talent. Soto. In left, Judge back in right. Put The Martian in center, where he can't hit a wall. Put the kid, Rumfield, on first, so Hal can pretend he's saving a lot of money. Sign the reliever, if we can. Sign the starter, too...but Hal won't do that. Hal won't do any of this, most likely—and that leaves us to do what we will.
ReplyDeleteRickie in the booth. Priority #1. Everything else is gravy.
ReplyDeleteYep. I second this.
DeleteI never want to watch the diminishing skills of an old first baseman ever again.
ReplyDelete