This Week on the Blog

Rough loss today, but, Sonny Gray deals tomorrow then it's back to the Bronx on Monday.  Not bad.  Rangers kids look decent. the Knicks are back to tanking and the Giants are sick of Odell questions.   Let's take a look at the immediate horizon.

Yanks: If McKinney needs to hit the DL with a sprained shoulder, the Yanks will have 4 OF 's - or 10% of their 40 man roster - on the DL.  Yikes, they might have to call up a middle infielder so that Wade can go play OF if needed.  In other news, Aaron Judge and and Dellin Betances, have swapped roles in the provision of homeruns so far.  Let's hope that gets flipped back to normal this week.  I believe the minor leagues start this week, and we I have some time after Tuesday, I'll try to break down the rosters.  Sonny Gray doesn't really feel like a 4th starter, even on a great team, let's hope he doesn't pitch like one.

UPDATE: After I posted Miguel Andujar to mark the beginning of the MiLB season, the Yanks DL'd McKinney and called back Miguel! Let's hope he's hitterly!

Giants: The Giants spent the week batting away OBJ questions.  Hopefully, they also continued their deep dive into this year's draft prospects.  The Giants have many more needs than picks, but they have to start somethere and it's April 26th.

Rangers: The Rangers called up Anderrson and Chytil Monday, and they both already have their first goals and assists.  Let's hope they do as well with this year's 3 first rounders. That could really speed up the rebuild. They lost their last MSG appearance of this season, and will finish this poor thing off later this week.  Let's hope things don't linger with AV much beyond the final game. Not sure where they are on contracts, but this is the time of year when they've been signing college players, like Pionk.

Knicks:  The Knicks will be winding up their tank soon, and almost immediately should fire Hornacek.  He's not developed into the coach we were hoping for, or even one the Knicks can use.  And they'll need lottery luck, because this draft is not looking great.

So there it is.  I'm leaving town and the computer I write these things on till Tuesday, so if anything big happens I'll post in the comments section, then explore it on Tuesday.  Have a great week, folks!

Hicks Hurt, McKinney Up

Hicks just went on the 10 Day, and McKinney has been called up.  He's got patience and pop, but is a corner only guy, so if something happens with Gardy, we'll see Judge in CF.   Meantime, this is creating the crack, especially if it lingers, for Ellsbury to come back. This is the move that just keeps hurting.  Too bad Clint Frazier missed most of ST, though reports are he was fine after batting practice.

Yanks Win!

It's been several yearas since the Yanks won on opening day.  But Giancarlo Stanton didn't know that, and thus, hit two homers and a double to secure the win in his Yankee Debut.  Babe Ruth homered in his Yankee Debut, and so did Aaron Judge who had a double, single and walk.  Also got squeezed.  Severino pitched 5.2 inning of 1 hit ball.  Didn't need the change and some of the sliders were Gator worthy.  Green was Green, and Betances gave up a homer, but was still pretty sharp.  Topped out around 97, and his curve wasn't as tight, but didn't walk anyone and got throuhg it.  He'll improve.  Chapman was great, as Boone went full Torre on a regular season game that he wanted badly.  Big first win, and with all the new parts, still felt like old times.  Stanton doesn't have a bigger fan than Aaron Judge and that stood out in start contrast with the cool reception ARod got from Jeter.  These two will wreak holy havoc.

Greg Bird To Miss 6-8 Weeks

Unreal. Greg Bird just had to have surgery on his right ankle again. This time to remove a bone spur.  Can't help but think this was a consequence of last year's medical misadventures for Greg.  Seriously the Yanks need to take a serious look at their medical and surgical teams.  This should have been caught last year or in his pre-camp physical.  Just ridiculous.  Meanwhile, Tyler Austin will come up and crush lefties for them while Birdy is out.  Hopefully, he'll prove core and make them move someone else when the time comes.  Just terrible news, and DP's will probably suffer.  At least the Castro part of that problem is gone.

Giants Stuff

The Giants today signed 28 year old, productive and versatile S, Mike Thomas.  He can play both free and strong and is a demon on specials. In other news, OBJ, who hadn't been in the news since the leaked video tape, says he will holdout unless he gets paid. I have to wonder who is advising him.

Lindgren Has a Monster Second Game

Nice prospect day for the Rangers.  Not only did their #1 and #2 (probably) get called up, but recently signed D Ryan Lindgren, had two goals and an assist tonight for the already eliminated Wolf Pack.  They won't call him up because he's on an A/TO and his ELC doesn't kick in till next season.  This way he should never have to meet AV. What's really interesting about his big game is that Ryan has been more of a shutdown guy than a scoring whiz through his college and international career.  Fun stuff, finally.  Rangers will need lottery luck, though they are loaded for a trade up.

Rangers Recall Andersson and Chytil

With 7 games left in a hapless, transitional season, the Rangers have recalled medal chuckin' Lias Andersson and funky spellin' Filip Chytil.  These guys are the goods, and better than most of what we have. In fact, Ranger Media is already packaging them in videos like they used to do when Stepan and McDonagh were the fun young guys.  These can guys can both skate, and offer huge upside to the franchises future.  These last 7 games could kind of match the Giants Super Bowl commercial after their disastrous downturn.   And there's more on the way.

Brett Howden, the big soft handed WHL C the Giants acquired in the McD trade had 2 goals in his playoff game last night, though he's generally more on an assist machine.

The misery is almost over and the beginning is alread on the way.

This Week on the Blog

Okay, as the Yanks begin their only split squad game of ST, they've settled on their first 25 man roster.  The Giants are attending all the major pro-days.  The Rangers still haven't called up Andersson and Chytil.  And the Knicks are losing, but may not be losing fast to move up appreciably pre-lottery.  Let's take a look.

Yankees: This morning the Yanks announced that Jonathn Holder will be the 25th man, and Torreyes has some how made the team again. Sticking with Holder prevents them - at least for now - from Joba'ing Domingo German.  He'll take his regular turns in AAA and should be ready as needed.  Apparently, Drury's elbow wasn't bad enough to DL him, but Jacoby Ellsbury will start the season on the DL. Who would have thought that was such a bad deal?  Oh yeah, all of us did.  Regular season starts on the 29th in Toronto. Interestingly, the Yanks look like they're going to bat Aaron Judge first against lefties - to the mass consternation of baseball fans - as if getting your highest OBP guy the most at bats was somehow a bad idea.  Run of the mill idiocy.

Giants: CB Russ Cokrell signed with Carolina yesterday, so the Giants head into the draft needing as many as 2 CB's with just 6 picks so far. They're going to have to find significant talent in the undrafted period this year, though they will have an advantage with their picks ending in Round 5.  Thus the Giants can start working the phones almost 3 rounds before the other teams.

Rangers: The Rangers shoudl be tanking, but they are playing too hard, and the young kids have played to well for a real tank, and like the Knicks they will have trouble moving up from around 10th overall without lottery luck.  Looks like they are waiting till there are just 7 games left to call up last year's first rounders.  Or maybe they're afraid they'll create more wins. Wonder who the new coach will be.

Knicks recently won 2 games, which really screwed with their tank and probably stuck them with the 9th pick again.  Hornacek thinks they should draft or acquire a real 3, which is true, but he probably won't be around when that player arrives. He's curiously underplayed Frank Ntilikina, lately, which has not sat well with the teenager.  What's more, Horny cited defensive considerations and Frank is the only elite defender they currently have.  Wonder who the new coach will be.

So there it is. have a great week everyone!

Giants Trade JPP

This morning the Giants announced that they traded JPP to Tampa for a high third and a swap of 4th's.  The player who once had a chance to go down in history and the Giants second greatest defender, is gone.  They are clearly moving to a 3-4 Base, rather than an amoeba or hybrid or multiple front deal.  It's going to be the 3-4, just like LT played.

Getting the the high third is great, let's hope they don't use it to trade up.  I wouldn't mind a clever trade down, but then trading back up would be the Giants getting too clever.  That's how you end up with Sinorice Moss type guys.  So let's hope they added picks or just use the ones they have.

UPDATE: The Giants have also waived Dwayne Harris.

Rangers Stuff

According to the press in Minnesota, the Rangers have signed D Ryan Lindgren, whom they traded for at the deadline.  I'm showing him in his USA shirt, because the best prospect almost always play for their countries.  McDonagh, Stepan, Kreider and Miller all did.  Hank did.  So it's a good baseline to look, guys like Lindgren are the winners at many tryout camps by the time they play their firt international games.  He's not an offensive defenseman, but he's a good one who can skate.

Thursday, with just 9 games left in the season, the Rangers will call up their first 2017 first rounder Lias Andersson.  Lias played for his country, Sweden, in the World Juniors a few months ago, and tossed his silver middle into the crowd.  They might as well just give him the C when he arrives tomorrow.

Boone: Tyler Wade Makes the Team

Aaron Boone just admitted what we were all expecting: Tyler Wade will be on the 25 man roster to start the season.  He didn't outright give him the 2B job, though he's earned it.  I guess the illusion of competition remains important over these last few days. What the Yanks are getting in Tyler Wade is very much like a lefty hitting Willie Randolph.  He hits, takes his walks and can run like the wind.  He has more positional versatility than Willie, but remember, with better health luck Willie might have made the Hall of Fame.  He was better than some of the guys that did.  So let's see what Tyler can do.  In the long run, I think he or Torres will force a Didi trade.

This Week on the Blog

It was a big week as the Yanks signed Walker, the Giants finally started rebuilding their line, the Rangers had a surprising the win, and the Knicks Kincked.  Should be another interesting week coming right up.

Yankees: So far it looks like Tyler Wade will start at 2B rather than Neil Walker who will be the Super UT, to start.  Of course that could reverse itself.  Oh, and Gleyber Torres, who homered in his first MILB AB could change it even more. Bird still isn't really hitting, nor is Judge they will.  The Yanks also picked RHP Luis Gil in a waiver trade for Jake Cave. Gil is either 19 or just 20 and had more than a K per inning in rookie ball.  So he might be far off, but could also be good.

Giants: The Giants signed OLT Nate Solder and OLG Patrick Omemah, which reduced their need for starting offensive linemen to 3. Still a strong start, that would have been stronger, but C Sullivan decided to stay in LA. They misssed on Norwell, but the combo of Solder/Omameh, is probably just as good as Norwell and a lesser T.  They'll probably have to hit it twice in the draft.  Meanwhile, the Jets just traded up to #3.  The Giants still hold the #2 pick.  Also, Sam Darnold has his pro-day on Wednesday and if he looks great, he will probably become the #1 or #2 pick.

Rangers: The Rangers should be tanking, but guys like Kreider and MZA still have pride and, along with some suprisingly impressive yound D's, are making tanking tough. Their season will end April 7 and Lias Andersson can come up with 9 games left, and Filip Chytil can come back up with 7 games left. Then they're going to need some lottery luck.

Knicks: the Knicks are on a long losing streak, but it will still be tough to move way up in the draft without significant lottery luck, forwhich they are long overdue.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day, and have a great week starting tomorrow.

Giants Stuff

So the Giants have whiffed on Rams C John Sullivan - who would have been a perfect 2 year stopgap while they picked and developed another guy - but they do have mutual interest with Tyraan Mathieu AKA The Honey Badger.  He could combine with Landon Collins to raise major hell in the back 4.  So let's hope they can find the dough.

Earlier they created more bucks by spreading out Ogletree's March of this year bonus over the length of the deal.  They've also confirmed their deals with Patrick Omameh and CB Curtis Riley, who played for new DB assistant Deshea Townsend on the Titans.

You've got to like who they are targetting, and both the OL and D could see quick turnarounds.

Giants Sign LG Patrick Omameh

Getting interesting. The Giants are signing 28 year old LG Patrick Omameh, who's bounced around a bit since coming into the league from Michigan.  Most recently, he was an above average LG for last year's surprising Jags. He was undrafted out of college, and has gotten better and better over his various stints.  If the Giants were to say, bring back Fluker for right guard, next to Erik Flowers at right tackle, they might really be able to run again.  Nice move.  Now, assuming Flowers is the RT, they need an Right Guard and could use an upgrade at C.  Things are a lot less desperate than they were when they whiffed on Norwell.

Solder Etc.

The Giants have made Nate Solder "the highest paid" Left Tackle in football. They're giving him a 4 year deal.  This sort of wreaks of building aroind a 37 year old QB.  Solder is pretty good, but not great and onlty the timing got him to the level of highest paid.  The Giants are also expected to sign former Cardinal OLB Kareem Martin.  He's nothing great but know the defense.  The Cards have also  released The Honey Badger, and the Giants could be a suitor.

In other news the Giants sent Mike Shula to the Oklahoma pre day to watch Baker Mayfield and Orlando Brown.  They might have sent Gettlemen and Shurmur, but as UFA opens to day, they might have to stay in NJ in case anyone is visiting.

The Giants have also tendered DT Robert Thomas.

Giants Sign an Old RB

The Giants, misssing out on their top OL target, immediately came to agreement of former Panther RB Jonathan Stewart.  You might remember him from that 2008 game where the Giants ran for 300 yards or so and so did the Panthers.  All the other backs from that game are retirned, and I wouldn't be surprised if Stewart calls it quits some time in camp. Obviously, this is another "character" signing. Young characters win game, old characters, not so much.  Brutal plan so far.

In other news, the Giants lost Richburg and Kennard, so as of right now, they'll get comp picks next year.

Yanks Signing Neil Walker

I think there are 2 possibilities, first being that Tyler Wade really did get hurt Saturday, and they need a stop gap at second who is better than Torreyes.  The other possibility is that Wade is okay, but they want to turn him into a Super Ute - meaning a guy who can play all the infield and outfield positions, other than C.  Looks like the Yanks plan to send both Andujar and Torres down to become finishned products. It's also possible that they have another deal comong that involves trading some infielders.  I think that's unlikely because I don't see anyone who could come back.  It's also probably that the price for the switch-hitting Walker was so low, it was just an automatic buy for the Yanks. Walker is 32, and didn't play much last year, but he has been  a 113 OPS+ guy over his career, and there could be worse stop gaps. I believe all of this is pending his physical.  And we might not want to take that for granted.

Giants Cutting DRC

This is somewhat puzzling.  The Giants, unable to extract a salary cut from star CB DRC, so have cut him.  This saves them 6.5M dollars right now, with only about 1M in dead money. This is puzzlning because if the Giants really believed a "quick turnaround" was possible, DRC would not have been their second cut - even if he was cut at all. Looking at the roster, you can easily find cut-able guys from this 3-13 team.  Also, with DRC, CB was not a big need, and without one it becomes a big need.  to go along with OL and their other big needs. Puzzling.

This Week on the Blog

Yanks kept getting ready, the Giants made a big trade, the Knicks kept tanking and the Rangers got back to tanking.  Big stuff probably coming this week.

Yankees:  The Yanks have made their first round of cuts and what promises to be a spirited, exciting and competitive Minor League Camp will open.  Of the big 4 sluggers, only Sanchez has gone yard (2x), and Bird if really having bad luck. But it's not even mid-March yet, and we just need them to be ready around the 29th.  They announced  Montgomery as the 5th starter, and  with German looking good, there've been no rumors about a move for a sixth starter.

Giants: the Giants made a surprising trade for a real linebacker this past week, and with UFA opening on Wednesday, we should start to get a pretty good idea of what the plan is - presuming they have one.  Of course, the big demand around here for the past 6 years has revolved around the OL, which may have actually hit rock bottom during their 3-13 debacle. Rumors have been circulating that the Giants will start FA by signing all-world Guard Andrew Norwell from Gettelmen's old team the Panthers.  That would be a start, but the Giants would still need a plan for the other 4 spots.  So we'll have to see.

UPDATE: The Giants have cut Brad Wing.  That will teach his best friend OBJ not to buy anymore Dominoe's Pizza!

Rangers:  Filip Chytil is allowed 7 more games at the NHL leve without burning a year.  Lias Andersson is allowed 9.  The season ends April 7, so we could see them both soon.  Of the kids who are up, Gilmour, Pionk and DeAngelo have all shown signs of future value.  Rob O'Gara has not. And of course, aside from lottery luck in June, what the Rangers need most of all is a new coach.  A guy who can turn kids into winners. We'll see if such a guy is out there.

Knicks: The Knicks are in full tank. They even got a letter from the Commish, but when Mudiay is turning it over 3 straight times, you cannot win.  Like the Rangers, the Knicks need lottery luck and a new coach.

So there we are, probably some Giants excitement this week, but then steady as we go for our other three teams.

Have a great week.

Giants Trade for LB Alec Ogletree

The Giants have reportedly traded 2 2018 picks to the LA Rams for LB Alec Ogletree.  Ogletree is an inside LB who you might remember got into it with Odell Beckham Jr. a couple of years ago.   So the Giants are trading their 4th and 6th round picks to the Rams and receiving the Ogletree and a 7th.  They now have a late 4th left and are missing a 6th instead of a 7th so far.  Of course, they can probably pick up more picks with trade downs or other trades before the draft.  He's a good player.

UPDATE: It's a 2019 7th coming back. So the Giants are down to 5 picks as of now.

Starting to Really Like Stanton

We can all agree that when the Yanks traded for Giancarlo Stanton, they we acquiring a superstar.  But I'm starting to think he's more than that.  Here's why: on Sunday; to create more options for the Yanks; Stanton, a right fielder by trade, played left.  It was a high sky and he misplayed 2 fly balls.  His misadventures out there made the backpages of yesterday's papers.  But guess what?  He's gonna be back out there again today.  I can think of very few superstarts who've come to New York, so hungry to win that they're willing to look bad or embarrass themselves to get there.  In other words, real team guys.  I remember Earl Monroe sacrificing game to come to the Knicks,  Dave Winfield playing left for Reggie, and ARod moving to 3rd for Jeter.  Otherwise, you can't really get a superstar to do anything like what Stanton seems willing to do to help the team.  Awesome.

Rangers Sign Ty Ronning

The Rangers today announced their signing of WHL All-Star Forward Ty Ronning, who is having a monster, slightly over age year in the rough and tumble Western Conference.  He's got 55 goals in 64 games this year, and that's awesome and he's second in the league.  Nice stuff.  With this signing the Rangers are getting tight against the contract limit again and will probably have to make some two or even three for one deals, or start releasing guys if they need contract space this summer.

This Week on the Blog

Alright, the Giants are at the Combine, the Yanks are lighting up the graperfruit league, the Knicks are managing their tank, and the Rangers have lost control of their vehicle.  Let's see what's on the horizon.

Yankees: Yesterday, the Yanks signed 34 year old Adam Lind to a minor league deal. When will they learn that in this postroidal era, signing 34 year olds is a losing bet?  I supposed it could be argued that Greg Bird and Tyler Austin are both health risks, but still, what's McBroom for?  It'll sort itself out.  Thus far, Miguel Andujar and Estevan Florial have given us something to rest easy on in the present and dream on for the future.  Gleyber hasn't been good yet, but it's early.  Tyler Wade has been good and fast. Let's hope the coaches fall in love with him and not Torreyes.  Montgomery has looked great, and his changeup is back.  That's a pitch he had 2 years ago when he made his incredible AAA debut.

Giants: The Giants are at the Combine and have blown more smoke than at any time since George Young lost his fasball.  They will be in great position to take a QB if they fall in love, or use the 2 on a hall of fame type RB, G or S/CB/LB, or trade down a bit and still clean up.  This is so much better than having the 5th pick in a 4 player draft, like they did when they took Cerdric Jones.  They just can't pick the wrong QB.

Knicks:  The Knicks are letting the kids play and keeping it close into the third.  Then they are losing by double digits.  That's how you tank.

The Rangers:  On Monday, the Rangers traded their captain and their #2 scorer, as and also collected another player, one definite first round pick and one conditional first rounder than will turn into a 2 if Tampa doesn't win the cup this year or next.  The Rangers should be losing, but they are winning and currently stand at #11 and out of the lottery.  Winning can't be good right now.

Alright, there it all is.  Enjoy the Yanks and bear with the rest.  Better days are coming -- eventually. Have a great one!

Pop Go the Yankees

Meet the new 3rd Baseman.  Miguel Anjujar hit jacks on the first two pitches he saw today. That gives him 4 over his last 3 appearances and he's making all the plays at 3rd and showing a strong arm. If you see his homerun swings, he has the same finish at Gary Sanchez, and the same results. Unbowed, Brandon Drury, who may not be ticketed for second, hit a shot of his own.  To further the ice the cake, Tyler Austin, the prospect father of all these guys, hit one.  Then Billy McKinney paid tribute to the late Oscar Gamble by pulling one out to the cheap seats.  Five homers.  and Estevan Florial hit his 3rd standup triple. That's probably a rarer feat than what Andujar is accomplishing.  He's already a plus CF, so anyone who thinks he's more than a year or so away is plum nuts.

The Yanks will have to make some tough decisions this spring, and would be wise to keep trying to move Ellsbury, and Gardy.