In a righteous world, these three signings would scroll across the bottom of your screen in a 9-point Dingbats font. In the spirit of modern gaslighting, let's ignore the signs of desperation and hope this shows the brain trust well aware of this team's shortcomings.
The signings, and the problems:
1. Backup catcher. They signed 27-year-old Ronaldo Hernandez - a former future Rays lug nut, who cracked the 2019 Baseball America Top 100. He was dealt to Boston, where he disappeared like Michael Dukakis. Last year, having somehow joined the Diamondbacks, over 63 games at Triple A, he hit .311 with 11 HRs.
Worth a shot, I suppose, because a) he hits RH and b) he's 6-foot, 248 pounds. Not a typo. The guy must be a tree trunk. (For comparison, departed fan-fave Jose Trevino is 5' 10" and 215.)
For now, the Yankees have no clear backup catcher. More concerning: Austin Wells didn't hit squat over the final two months of 2024. The YESsirs assure us that Wells will rebound to his midsummer performance, and all will be fine. Well, maybe. But if Wells' slump persists, if Hernandez is our man, we're in trouble.
2. Lefty bullpen help. They signed 34-year-old Tyler Matzek, a warrior for Atlanta in 2021, who underwent TJ surgery in 2023 and hasn't been the same. Because he throws LH, Matzek will get a long look, but his days of dominance may have ended. Like most golden oldies, he probably needs a new out pitch.
Last year, Matzek bounced between SF and Atlanta, got lit up in both opportunities. Still, he's an interesting case. Early on, Matzek suffered from the "yips," that mental issue where a guy simply cannot make one certain throw. (Read THE ART OF FIELDING, a great baseball novel by Chad Harbach.) Usually, it's a career-killer. He survived, with help from an ex-Navy Seal. Like I said, intriguing. Lefties can pitch forever. You never know.
3. Lefty bullpen help (continued). They signed 25-year-old Jayvien Sandridge, who has bounced around for five years in the systems of the Orioles, Reds and Padres. He has surfed mostly on the crest of a 98-mph fastball, which - sadly - he cannot control. In his career, he walks one in every five batters.
So, maybe they can teach him to throw strikes? But I wouldn't let him pitch to any big hitters. It's always fun and games - being gaslit, that is - until someone gets hurt. So, today, a 3B?
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14 comments:
Baseball no longer matters.
It's small potatoes these days. America's pastime might have to change to just "pastime" if what's happening keeps happening.
Well….there’s a light on - over at the Frankenstein house …. If that helps
Also. I remember when “Take up Arms” simply meant that
Phylis Diller was going in for another procedure. Times - they are a changing.
Hey JM - does your Germany property have
a guest bunker for out of “town” visitors? If so
I’d like to make a reservation
At least Spring Training is ramping up down there on the Gulf of America.
Turbines to Speed!
Expect to see more of this, throughout S/T and right into the regular season. So few of these types have any impact at all.
1) AA - "Also. I remember when “Take up Arms” simply meant that
Phylis Diller was going in for another procedure."
Thank you. I mean that. You should try to sell it to Bob Hope.
2) JM "It's small potatoes these days. America's pastime might have to change to just "pastime" if what's happening keeps happening."
Actually, you don't remove America you do it in all caps.
"AMERICA'S Pastime so much better than the pastime anywhere else in the world...
An old man, former baseball player... Willie Mays, maybe you've heard of him... I don't know... Came up to me yesterday, tears in his eyes, and said, "Sir, why don't they play baseball in Panama and Canada?" and I said, "Don't worry Willie, they will."
We can offer an inflatable mattress, AA. No bunker, though.
If they teach Sandridge how to throw strikes, they'll hit home runs against him...
I just cannot with this bullshit...
I wish Goldie a wet and wild early retirement in 2025 to the Jacoby Ellsbury Memorial Hot Tub in Tampa. He'll probably have to make room for Bellinger.
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