This Week on the Blog

Last week saw the Yanks make a significant trade, the Giants start training camp, the Rangers sign another former draft pick, and the Knicks, just chilling while some of their players got ready for the Olympics.  This week has already started off with a bang.

Yanks: Early this morning the Yanks traded Andrew Miller for a big bat and three electric arms. The new acquisitions actually pushed down Torres who they'd picked up in the Chapman deal, and added even greater quality and depth to the farm.  So it seems a rebuild is finally underway, and more trades are expected. The run up to these trades was really microscosmic of the way things have been under Hal. Bold and brilliant moves, like these, or the big IFA push in 2014 vs. stupid salary splashes like Ellsbury, McCann and Beltran, which we also saw in `14, as well as ridiculous draft and IFA budgets before there were even rules about such things.  We'll see what happens up till the deadline and again at the waiver deadline, but this is a new and better direction.

Giants: Beckham got a cut on his ankle today and BigBlueNation held its breath.   We need him desperately.  In other news, both Cruz and JPP look like, well, Cruz and JPP, and Jerry is making excuses about the right side of the OL.  All of these situations bear watching.

Rangers: The Rangers are still poised for a trade or trades, and it's unclear if they are just haggling, or whether or not their are structural barriers in the FO, like their have been for the Yanks.

Knicks:  The Knicks are chill.

I hope we get more great news by the deadline, and that we get no more injury scares from the Giants. Let's go, teams, and let's go, readers!

Yanks Trade Miller for Four Prospects

The Yanks, this morning or over night, traded LHP Andrew Miller to the Cleveland Indians for another parcel of big prospects including slugging CF Clint Frazier 21 and LHP Justus Sheffield 20.  The other two are right handed relief pitchers Ben Heller, who's in AAA and throws 100, and JP Feyereison, who must throw hard because he has a lot of K's and walks.  Frazier and Sheffield, who's Gary's nephew, and thus part of a ridiculously huge sports family will probably both go into the Yanks top 10.  This is looking like another strong trade for the Yanks.  Now, we'll just have to see what else they do.  They still have too many old bats.

Let me also add, it is an absolute pleasure to had watched Andrew Miller, and under different circumstances you don't trade guys like him.

Giants Open Camp

They're back.  And they still haven't done anything about the OL.  But now begins the first full camp of the McAdo Era or Error.  I like him and expect him to succeed, but think they still need to get a right tackle, or they'll be attacked there all year.  The big news today is the Victor Cruz seems to be a full go.  Remember if he teams with a healthy Beckham and Shepard, it's absolutely checkmate for the rest of the NFL.  Nobody else has three wides who can run as amazing routes.  That's really why I've been crazed about the ORT issue, I want to give Eli and the WR's time to work.   Anyway, as always, let's hope for no injuries and seemless return from PUP from the 3 guys who are on it.

Yanks Trade Chapman for 4 Players

The Yanks today began what must be a carefully measured sell off by trading Aroldis Chapman for 19 year old SS Gleyber Torres, 21 year old OF  Billy McKinney,  RHP Adam Warren, and another player whose name has not yet been released.  Torres is shorter, but has some mechanical similarities to Jeter at the plate. Torres is in A, and has started hitting homers this year. McKinney, is a former A's first rounder and a lefty bat.  He hasn't hit for power yet, and he's in AA. Yankee stadium may eventually help him, if he can make it.  Both Torres and McKinney seem to have the walk gene. And Adam Warren comes home.  This seems like a pretty nice take, even without knowing who the 4th players is.  I guess we'll update as more info comes in.

UPDATE: The 4th player is Rashad Crawford and 6'3" 22 year old CF who is in High A.  He's a lefty hitter who hasn't show power or much of the walk gene yet.  I don't think he's a top 20 prospect for the Yanks.  Not sure McKinney is either, but Torres is probably a top 10 or maybe top 5.

This Week on the Blog

This was an insteresting week, as the Yanks overperformed ahead of the non-waiver deadline, the Rangers made nice moves, the Knicks rested on their recent laurels, and the Giants continued to ignore the OL, which other teams will not.   This week, all four teams will be in action.

Giants: Later this week, the Giants will open their first Training Camp of the McAdo Era.  The reports will probably pick out the differences right away, but it will take well into the pre-season games for us to see if the coaching has been upgraded at all. In a very encouraging bit of news, Victor Cruz has been posting workout tapes and he looks like Victor Cruz.  And they still haven't addressed the OL.

Yanks: The Yanks need to sell.  They don't need to play every game like it's the last game of the world series and create unsustainable expectations.  So, hopefully, intelligence will prevail, though it doesn't always over there.

Rangers: The Rangers made a big trade that allowed them to get younger and pick up a future 2, and the extended Kreider for four more years, as well as giving Hayes a two year bridge deal. They're now pretty well positioned for another smart trade or two, if they want more changes.

Knicks: the Knicks were reported to be interested in Tobias Harris as well as Chasson Randle this past week.  They don't really have the ready assets or room to get Harris without a third team, and minutes for him would be a challenge.   Randle shined with their summer league team and they maybe should have tried to sign him then, than compete with two other teams now.

It'll be great to have all four teams going again.  And I hope it's a great week all around for all of you.

Rangers Lock Up Kreider

This morning, the Rangers avoided arbitration with Chris Kreider by signing the winger to a new 4 year 18.5M deal.  The Rangers wanted 5 but Kreider insisted on 4 years which helt down his annual salary a bit.  No word about an NMC, so we're going to have to listen to more people suggesting Kreider trades over the next four years.  Let's hope he puts it all together this season, instead of just having a tantalizing season fragment or two.  Kevin Hayes is the last remaing RFA the Rangers wish to keep.

Rangers Trade Brassard

Been out all day, but yesterday we said the Rangers could be making a trade any minute now.  The minute came today when they sent Derrick  Brassard and a future 7th to Ottawa for 23 year old big fast C Mika Zibanejad and a future 2.  This was a strong move for the Rangers, who have had a nast habit of trading youth and high picks for OLD lately.  This was the reverse.  Mika was the #6 overall pick in his draft year, and sort of like Brassard, when we got him he's been known as much for his inconsistency as much as for his high talent level.  That said, he's already had a 50+ point season and still has a ton of upside.  Plus the deal frees up money now for Kreider and Hayes.

Further, Mika is a big boy at 6'2" 220, and the Rangers are going through a phase where they either grab big power forward types, or little Zuccs, with nothing in between.  They've all tended to be great skaters, though, and Mika fits that bill as well.

Mika's an RFA who will have to be dealth with next year, but they still have time for more trades, but they needed cap room now .

This Week on the Blog

Alright, the painful monotony of the current Yankee season was broken up a bit by the all-star break.  There is no more relief in  sight.  The Rangers took care of some business, and the Knicks brought back exiled religious figures.  The Giants did nothing.  Let's hope the week brings us good news.

Yankees:  Yanks have started the second half losing two straight to their ancient enemy, and playing trade drama for the papers.  These are clearly not the `78 Yanks and thus better get a trading.  They have a unique opportunity to undo a bunch of past mistakes and speed up the clock on the next dynasty if they can acquire some core pieces.  Meanwhile, down in Pulaski, Blake, Dermis, Wilkerman and Estevan are getting important experience.  Blake had two more hits yesterday and Dermis, the Adam Dunn of the Appy League, hit his 7th bomb. Those are the kind of prospects you should be getting for 3.2M.

Giants: The Giants still haven't addressed the OL.

Knicks: the Knicks are being delightfully well run. They may or may not have one more roster spot to fill, but whatever they do will most likely make sense.

Rangers: the Rangers kicked the McIrath can down the road this week and surprisingly signed last year's third rounder Robin Kovacs.  He's just nineteen, but he gave the other prospects at the prospect camp more than they could handle.  Of course, he was often playing with his Swedish League teammate Malte Stromwall,  who was signed after Ranger scouts so him play over there with Kovacs.    In other news, Pavel Buchnevich, who has a chance to be the Rangers version of KP and OBJ, began training in America and living with an American family. And they could be making a trade any minute now.  They also have to sign Kreider and Hayes.

So we have four teams that need to do some work in the near term.  I hope all of you get great news in the near term.

Rangers Re-Up McIlrath

Rangers came to terms on a new one year deal with Dylan McIlrath.  At 800K if Bozo the Coach lets him play, he'll be a huge bargain this year and another potential cap bomb next year.  The kid is good.  Meanwhile, they also extended D Tommy Hughes, who hasn't quite met expectations yet and F  Josh Jooris. Neither are real threats to make the team at this point.

Yanks: Blake Promoted to Pulaski

Looks like I'll be holding off for a GCL Review rather than preview.  The Yanks today have promoted Blake Rutherford to Pulaski.  Blake had gone from ice cold to start his Yankee career to red hot the past few days, so they moved him.  This makes Pulaski even more freakishly loaded than it was yesterday.  And with Blake having turned nineteen in May, he's age appropriate for the Pulaski team where he's actually older than Dermis Garcia.  There's a pretty good chance those two will be hitting 3-4 for the Yanks someday, so they should write them in that way today.  Bat Wilkerman second or first.  

Rangers Extend JT Miller

The Rangers didn't so much extend JT Miller as kick his big raise two years down the road. Today they gave thir burgeoning star winger slash center a bridge deal.  The money is in the 2's for both years, which probably means Kreider is getting his bigger deal now.  That's age appropriate.  I think a better coach would have turned these two guys into more consistent forces by now, but that's just one of the team's problems right now.  Good to have JT locked up, though.

Knicks Bring Back Ndour

Today the Knicks continued their sub rosa build around KP strategy by bringing back Maurice Ndour, the 24 year old PF who was the star of last year's SL team.  Ndour is 6'9" but has a 7'6" wingspan.  And he's a willing and coachable kid whom the Knicks somehow let sign with Dallas after league play had wrapped up.  He subsequently played limited minutes with Billy Hernangomez at Real Madrid in Spain. This gives them another young front court athlete to go along with KP, Billy, and Daug.  They're still short on young guards, but that could change if they sign Chasson.

Knicks: Attacking the Rim

One of the things I haven't seen mentioned in the Knicks acquisition of Derrick Rose, Brandon Jennings and Mindaugus Kuzminskas - whom we will call Kuz or Daug - is that all like to attack the rim.  Putting aside Daug for a moment, both Rose and Jennings are titularly point guards, but of the attack the rim type - not the pick and roll, orchestrator type, who maybe attacks back door or in transition.  And here's why this is both interesting and a big change for Phil Jackson teams, and thus, the Triangle.  In the past, Phil has attacked the rim with legendary 2's named Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, while more traditional point guards like Paxson, Armstrong, and Fisher, sort of dished, shot threes and played various levels of D.

Jackson himself has said he uses lead guards and off guards instead of point guards and shooting guards.  But his "lead" guards in the past have been 2's and this time he's using his 1's. So instead of trying to envision Rose and Jennings in a sort of more athletic version of the Derek Fisher role, they should be considered as having the ball dominant Jordan/Bryant roles. While Courtney Lee will be the 3 and D guy, and I wonder if he'll play some pick and roll.

By the way, if Chasson Randle makes the team, he's another guy who loves to attack the rim and can score in all sorts of ways.

As for Daug, he's going to be a long three and D guy, who is great in transition, and possessed of the handles, feet and physicality to attack the rim, too.  I think he'll surprise.

Interesting stuff

This Week on the Blog

Okay, the Knicks got a lot done this past week, but our other teams?  Not so much.  Of course in situations like the Yanks and Rangers are currently in, we should be careful about what we wish for.  Neither team can afford to lose any possible trades.  And the Giants start back up in 19 Days.

Yanks: This week, Cash admitted he was taking trade calls. It's still not clear whether the Yanks will be sellers this month or once again engage in their young for old buyer mentality.  This month literally offers the Yanks a rare opportunity to sell established players they don't urgently need, and replace them with top prospects, to supplement the future and the farm. A few trades have already happened, and I guess we'll see if the Yanks finally engage.  And sorry I haven't gotten around to the GCL teams, they've underperforming, so I haven't had the needed impetus.

Giants: The Giants start training camp on July 28th.  And they still haven't addressed the OL.

Rangers:  The key Ranger RFA all filed for salary arbitration, so we don't have to worry about Kreider or Miller getting offer sheeted.  Meanwhile, they haven't made any trades and it's unclear if they're going to.  It's sort of ridiculous that they didn't buy out Girardi.  As good as he was at his peak, that was now seasons ago.  I think they may have another buyout window this summer and they should use it.

Knicks: The Knicks introduced Noah, Lee and Jennings yesterday, after having acknowledged their moves on Thursday.  This week they may find a cheap veteran big man or they may elect to stick with KOQ, Willy and Plumlee (whom they gave a 3 year deal with a guaranteed first season).  I'll have more to say about what I think the reports have been missing, but I will say, that this Knicks team could have SOUL, like the Knicks of my youth and the `90s Knicks. And that's always a very good thing.

I hope all of you have a tremendous week.

More Knicks Stuff

The Knicks have been busy.  Yesterday, while I hope you were all enjoying the holiday, the Knicks were bringing back Lance Thomas, and adding G Brandon Jennings.  Jennings will be the backup PG and probably the 6th man.  When he's right he can add some firepower.  We'll have to see if Horny will overplay Lance Thomas like last year's coach's did.  He's another good defender, and actually took less to stay with the Knicks.  That's sort of incredible.

And the Knicks have kept it going today, inking C/F Wily Hernangomez to a multi-year pact, and coming to terms with Lithuanian F Mindaugus Kuzminskas. Kuz is listed at 6.8.5 and is suppposed to be an improved shooter, who can also slash.  And Wily is offensively gifted with great hands and light feet, and is also a willing defender who needs to be taught the finer points.  Wily is great friends with KP, and that should mean plenty to the Knicks.  Kuz is also supposed to be a great kid.

It's unclear how the Knicks are working the cap, but I guess we will understand on the 7th when they are allowed to announce their new players.

This Week on the Blog

Okay, this was an interesting but a bit of a disappoining week.  The Knicks have seemed to have switched plans, the Rangers may not have a plan, the Yanks keep rattling their swords about buying at the deadline, and the Giants still haven't addressed their OL.  Let's hope this week is better.

Knicks: The Knicks didn't wait around for Durant as Hamlet.  Instead they signed one of my favorite players,  Joakim Noah to a four year 72 million dollar deal.  We haven't seen the structur because of the league rules regarding July 7th.  Idiocy.  Anyway, the Knicks are still looking for a wing player to play the two and a back up PG.  Lee seems their first choice for wing, but there's also been noise about Eric Gordon and Dwayne Wade.  Today, in Orlando, Phil Jackson casually mentioned he can make more cap room if he wants to.

While Herrring over and the Wall Street Journal thinks this is a change of horses for the Knicks, it's really the only course of action that makes sense.  Here's why: the draft sucked.  So it was no time to trade Melo for a youth and a #1 pick.   However; in `17 the Knicks start owning their picks again.  And Melo's trade kicker kicks in, so it'll be easier to get him to waive.  What's more, Rose goes off the books.  So,  at the end of this season,  the Knicks will have KP, Joakim and probably the 2 guard, for sure and their own one, and maybe more if the trade Melo.  Even better, if the injury risk guys all miss time, the team will a higher pick, and Melo might even become available and the deadline.   So, it's not all that bad.  Could be really fun if they stay healthy and make the playoffs.

UDATE: Courtney Lee is the 2.  He brings 3's and D.  The Knicks will have a good D, and KP and Willy will have good defenders to learn from in Noah and Lee.  Both KP and Willy are plenty willing, so we should see good results.

Rangers: It really feels like they were ready to make room for Stamkos, but since he didn't enter the market, they kept their power dry.  They still need to fix their cap, so their probably will be trades, but they have some time. They also need to recoup young players and picks. They once again got nice value in the draft.

Yanks: They signed Blake!  This could be the beginning of a very frustrating month, because not only are the Yanks unwatchable and need to sell, but the more and more of the farmhands are starting to look ready.  Nuttiness.  Also, today being the 7/2, the Yanks started welcoming new IFA's.  They are still in the penalty but seem to have landed the top Dominican pitcher in the class,  and they also added another good catcher and SS.  During the first year of the penalty, they added 56 guys.  Let's see what they do this time.  And let's continue to marvel at the great job Donny Rowland and his scout team are doing down there.

Giants: Giant's still haven't addressed the OL, and camps starts on 7/28.

Have a safe and sane 4th, peeps, and a great week to boot!

Knicks FA Stuff

Joakim Noah posted this earlier today, and now is said to be meeting with Phil Jackson and Steve Mills in Orlando.  So who knows when this will happen and when it will be announced.  Then all sorts of wing rumors have flown around today including Courtney Lee, Eric Gordon, and lately Dwayne Wade have popped up.  The Knicks are also supposed to meet with Austin Rivers for their back up PG job, though I find it hard to believe that they can't find a commensurat or superiore talent among the undrafteds DLeague or overseas crew, especially if they get a good fifth starter and FA's want to jump aboard to make a run at the playoffs. We'll see.  Everyone's worried about the presumptive Wade money, but the Knicks can make more room if they need it.

Noah is a Knick and they are reporting it's for 4/72.   The structure is not yet available.

Ranger FA Stuff

NHL free agency has started and the Rangers have been dumster diving.   They got Michael Grabner, the former Islander and Leaf who is considered one of the fastest guys in the league, though he lacks all other stuff.  They also signed shrimpy Nathan Gerbe, who's good on the kill, and nothing else.  And signed Adam Clendening, a former 2nd round defenseman who will probably be in Hartford.  I think it's clear that once Stamkos wasn't hitting the market, the Rangers took a step back.  They still have to get their cap in order, protect the RFA's and hopefully gather more picks, so I'd assume sooner or later we'll see some trades.  Conservative on Day 1, so far.

UPDATE: Later in the day, the Rangers dove back into the dumpster and found another RHS D in Mike Paliotta.  He'll be in Hartford.  Waiting.  Like we are, but hopefully not dreading, like we are.