All Star Break: The Coming Dynasty
Now, the first obstacle to it happening is this month's trade deadline. While the Yanks do currently have a more robust system than they've had at any time since the `50s. and perhaps moreso based on a far more diverse approach to talent collection. So, the opportunity does probably exist to use some of what we have to get another piece or two at the deadline.
Here's the big problem with that: teams know how good the Yankee farm is, and will be asking for the top of it. AND THERE IS NOTHING ON THE MARKET THAT IS WORTH THE TOP OF THE FARM. I hope that's clear. Last year, the Yanks were able to take advantage of the desperation of historically challenged teams and got them to vastly overpay of two of the best relievers in the game. Now those teams were desperate, and perhaps a player away. btw, looks like the Cubs may have broken Chapman for this year. Anyway, it would be dumb for the Yanks to trade for relievers because outside of the best of the best, relievers are fungible, and the Yanks already have two of the best of the best. They should be able to make the bullpen work with what they have on the 40 man roster (Heller, Cessa, Holder) etc. What they can't do is keep running Clippard out there.
So that's the first big proviso: Don't trade for relievers.
Secondly, they should only trade for young, controllable players - if they make trades at all. In other words, if they can't get more young talent without blowing up the coming Dynasty, don't make trades.
Third, should try to trade veterans like Gardy, Ellsbury (because of his ridiculous contract might have to happen in the offseason with the Yanks sending money) and Pineda. I'd move Headley, too, if possible, even if they won't let Andujar come up and learn on the job, Tyer Wade can play 3B and it doubtless a better fielder than Headley. In fact, I suspect Wade is the the best defensive player on the team and perhaps in the whole organization. He's off to a slow start with the bat, but he will hit, and they shouldn't trade him.
Just for fun, here are my untouchables for this current market (not including any of the young players on the 25).
Pitchers:
Kaprielien
Adams
German
Acevedo
Perez
Littell
Guzman
Acosta
Guys that were just drafted are now eligible for trade. Too soon to consider trading any of them.
Infielders
Torres
Mateo (he is looking special again and taking his walks, supremely disruptive player)
Esrada (he's a righty Cano)
W.Garcia
D.Garcia (just 19 still and light tower power, another Sano)
Solak
D. Sands (catcher)
Outfielders
Florial
Rutherford
Amburgey
That seems like a long list of untouchables, but there are no actual ACE type picthers or middle of the order superstar bats on the market right now.
And even saving all of these guys, the Yanks still have a bunch of position players and pitchers that would be appopriate for what seems to be available. I'm hoping they can add vets into the deals.
In all, as long as they don't move the wrong players or overpay in any sense for any player, their next dynasty is just around the corner. They cannot derail it for the division or wild card this year. They have too many injuries, and error prone veterans.
posted by Kalel9 @ 10:21 AM
14 Comments:
I don't think for a second that Cashman would block Bird barring some difficult to imagine diagnosis of a permanent impairment. Whether or not he is getting pressure from that hideous human being inexplicably tasked as president, I have no idea.
I suspect that he likes Girardi too much, so bullpen help is almost a certainty. Girardi will f up anything but a perfect pen. As I said, I can see Andujar going, maybe German and possibly Mateo (I would keep him).
Cashman needs to face what Pineda is, which is a tease who should not be re-signed as a starter. Preferably they will trade him and Gardner now, although I doubt it. I would still like to see what Pineda can do as a reliever.
Doubt any big moves happen at the deadline, as Cashman has stated he isn't trading top pieces, and Hal is likely on board with that. The bigger question is what they do in the offseason. IMO, they need to both make room for young players and also sell high on an asset or two. That means letting Pineda and Sabathia walk, trading Gardner to make room for Frazier and selling high on Castro to make room for Wade.
I don't see Tanaka opting out, and I doubt Ellsbury can be moved, so I would keep him around next year as a fourth outfielder, then eat the remaining two years + the buyout on his deal once the '18 season is done. Headley is a frustrating player, to be sure, but unless Andujar or Torres show they're ready, they likely have to keep him around for at least part of next year.
They absolutely must land Otani if he's posted. If that means spending on Darvish to increase their chances, then it's something they should consider.
I will take the other side (not that I want to). I think they will get a fairly significant reliever because they are very concerned about holding any lead.
I think they'll move Ellsbury because they already regret having to move Gamel instead of being able to keep him. I think both Gardy and Ellsbury will be gone and one of the other kids who is left will be the 4th OF.
Ellsbury has three more years after this at like $23m per. If he hit the market, would he get more than $5-$7m per?
Cashman " We will be careful buyers ...." The below article is good to hear, not happy we are buyers at all but better than the alternative of going all in ..
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/brian-cashman-yankees-expected-to-be-careful-buyers-during-mlb-trade-deadline/
Remember when mediots and others said Judge will never be as good as ______.
To this point he is pretty, pretty, pretty good.
I get it — it's a business, and they're in good Wild Card standing with injured players returning and Betances/Chapman hopefully rounding into form. I don't expect anything major, so I'm not really sweating the deadline.
Rich, Funny I remember recently fans telling me the Yankees don't rebuild, Players like Chris Sale, Quintana and/or whoever was ours, no prospect was untouchable because this is the Yankees.
Saying that, Cashman is still here, the same guy that was patient in dealing prospects for our most recent dynasty. I think there's a portion of Yankee fans that like/only know the big names and trade activity of the OLD Yankees. To them, all Prospects are all failures until they become home hold names.
We had to resort to some ways of signing free agents in our recent history due to us not having a farm but overall MLB salary constraints helps keep us checked in keeping a strong farm and graduating prospects to MLB.
The period of going after Youk, Ibanez, Wells, and others was beyond awful. I think it was sufficient reason to fire everyone, but thankfully that shit is now in the past.
Via RAB BA Midseason Top 100
3. SS Gleyber Torres (Preseason: 5th)
36. OF Blake Rutherford (Preseason: 45th)
48. OF Clint Frazier (Preseason: 39th)
55. RHP Chance Adams (Preseason: Not ranked)
70. OF Estevan Florial (Preseason: Not ranked)
72. LHP Justus Sheffield (Preseason: 91st)
88. OF Dustin Fowler (Preseason: Not ranked)
It will be interesting to see how they handle Judge contract-wise. He is probably making them measurable money, but otoh, his SSS production supports paying him the minimum for probably an additional season before considering a big long-term offer. Of course, they can keep him at the MLB minimum until he is arbitration eligible, but at that point, if this production proves to be consistent, a big deal becomes a no brainer.
Gotta play the system. This could be a career year for Judge, it would be hard for him to do this year after year. Look at Sanchez run last year, incredible. Although it's still be a good year for him when he's playing it doesn't come close to last years production.
Judge has control of the strikezone. I think he'll be pretty darn consistent through his prime and given prime health.
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