This Week on the Blog

So the Yanks had to shut down Betances, the Giants began their pro-day tour, and the Knicks and Rangers kept on tanking. This week should be more exciting, though as the Yanks go LIVE on Thursday to start the 2019 season, we might find out some other stuff, too.  Let's take a look.

Yankees: The Yankees are badly banged up heading into the regular season, with Sevy, Dealin' Dellin, CC and Hicks starting out of the Injured List. So, early season  rainouts could help this year.  Meanwhile, the O looks like it could be something special, even without Hicks to start. Everybody who needed a big ST has achieved one, with the exception of Clint Frazier, who's already been sent down and just needs tons of AB's after missing most of last year. Greg Bird, who was really being challenged has gotten back to taking his walks and going oppo taco. Voit is also hitting the ball hard, but not walking as often, but both guys have gotten "make it" grades and should be up to start the season with Stanton playing more Left and Gardy starting fewer games.  Btw, Stanton and Judge now look like Super Destroyers, and they could really carry the team all year, though with Gleyber and Andujar and the other around, they won't have to. Tyler Wade looks like he's making the team and has added what looks like above average OF ability to go with his SS, 2B, 3B and god knows what else package.  He's been hitting and stealing and could really help.  He's a much more natural basestealer than Gardy ever was, and has close to if not superior speed at ths point.  Should be a great season.

Giants: The Giants are in better shape than they were last year at this time. Plus they have 12 picks to use next month which is the most they've ever had since the draft moved to the 7 round format. And some time in their first three picks, they will fix Right Tackle, and once that is done both the O and the D will be instantly improved, as "ball control" will become a thing again for the Giants.  I'm hoping they go 6-6 on O/D picks and not try to force a 9-3 of 8-3 D advantage, or anything like that.  They still have some things they need on O , like a field stretching WR who can open things up for Saquon. Not a big Wayne Gallman fan, so wouldn't mind seeing another RB brought in.  Also, TE is a strength of this draft - so why not?  So I'd do at least 1 T, 1 OC-G, 1RB and at leat 1 WR.  And that doesn't even factor in QB, which may or may not be a Giant Want come April.  So, anyway, the Giants shouldn't go all D in the draft and hitting it as many as 6 times should really improve it, anyway.  We'll see.  Wonder if they'll make anymore trades.

Rangers: the Rangers are closing in on a bottom 5 season, which should help them in the lottery. To my knowledge, they haven't yet signed any more of their picks or prospects, like the Russians, nor have they signed anymore college or undraft MJHL guys. So they don't want to burn any entry years by having kids take part in the tank to start out. They have fewer then 10 games left, and I think the draft lottery is being held earlier this year.

Knicks: Frank returned last night and they still lost. Mitchell had a big game, and after a few nice games, Knox seemed off. I think they, too, are down to 10 games or fewer in this misbegotten trainwreck of a tank show. They really need to win the lottery. but grabbing Ja Morant with the #2 pick would also be a huge move for the franchise. He would electrify Big Mitch and Knox and whoever else is here.  Special talent.  So is Zion.  Need luck.

So there it is, our one great team will start its season, and our 3 rebuild jobs are all in different states of their rebuilds and need both intelligence and LUCK to return to the promised land.  Have a great one!