On Oscar weekend, eight movie observations regarding Yankee juju

1. Is it a bad omen that, just when Clint Frazier - aka "Red Thunder" - suffers a concussion, the movie Red Sparrow, starring ex-America's sweetheart Jennifer Lawrence, hits the theaters to middling reviews? If Frazier goes down or falls into a slump, slimy Redsock fans surely will start mocking him as "Red Sparrow." I can't believe the juju gods would give them such an easy ridicule opportunity. I ask you, is that fair?

2. Then again, Red seems to have made a speedy recovery by guzzling gallons of water. Could the juju gods be sending us a message that The Shape of Water will clean up at the Academy Awards? Should we be going to Vegas and betting the house?

3. Or... could the big winner be The Florida Project, aka Estevan Florial? Check this out: In 10 at bats, Florial has hit three triples, an astounding display of raw speed and recklessness. The other day, "Flyin' Florial" dashed from first to third on a wild pitch, narrowly beating the throw (in a foolish gamble, because there was two outs, when you're never supposed to get thrown out at third.) Of course, not long ago, Jose Mateo was the speed demon of Yankee lore. He is now the Flash of the Oakland system, though sidelined with a sprained knee. He's still ranked their third best prospect. We dealt him for 50 Shades of Sonny Gray. 

4. Wait: If we're thinking of high strung athletes, as in I, Tonya, you know who else is in the A's spring roster? Our old friend Slade Heathcott. In 7 games, he's gone 3-7 with an RBI and a stolen base. He's now 27 and approaching the Ruben Rivera Threshold of Time and Space, from which many players never emerge. But I, for one, still think he'll have a decent career. The juju gods owe this kid something. All we ever ask is that they play fair.

5. While we're talking about Oscar hopefuls, how about Get Out!, as signified by ex-Cuban escapee Yoan Moncada, formerly baseball's top prospect, whom the Redsocks traded to Chicago for Chris Sale? Last year, he crapped the bed, hitting .229 with 8 HRs in 218 at bats. This spring, he's 1 for 11. Of course, he's only 22, a year younger than Red Thunder/Sparrow. But this season could determine whether the White Sox got stiffed. 

6. Let's not forget All the Money in the World, working title for the Hal Steinbrenner story. Though Hal has nearly infinite monetary resources, he chooses to play nickel/dime with free agents. Yankee fans can relate to the idea that long term contracts - like A-Rod, Tex and Jacoby Ellsbury - are ticking time bombs, waiting to kill future seasons. Still, Hal has more than enough money to buy pitchers, outfielders, whatever - and pay the luxury tax. Like J Paul Getty, who refused to pay his son's kidnappers, Food Stamps Hal simply hates to part with his precious coins.

7. If we're looking for a Phantom Thread, look no further than Miguel Andujar, who may ignite a Yankee fan revolution, if he keeps hitting. He has 4 home runs in 14 at bats. For whatever it's worth - which isn't much - last spring, only three Yankees hit four or more home runs: Greg Bird had 8, Gary Sanchez hit 5, and Matt Holliday hit 4. (Going back further, Frankie Cervelli hit 4 HRs in the spring of 2014, and A-Rod hit 6 in 2011.) Looking for meaning? There is none. And yet... we look anyway. 

8. Of course, these days, only one movie matters - Black Panther - and if we're thinking of great African-American Yankees, clearly, the crown must be worn by CC Sabathia. Listen: CC is one Bartolo comeback away from wearing a Yankee cap into Cooperstown. Currently, he has 237 wins and a career ERA of 3.70. If he can pull a Bartolo - wrangle four more years out his arm - he could reach 280 wins: Close enough. He has Bartolo's body. He has Bartolo's guile. He's only 37, and it wouldn't surprise me if he pitches until 41. The only problem? Imagining him in that Black Panther spandex suit. Ouch.