Yankees Talk: Yanks Go Yard Opens Its Mailbag (Vol. 5)

The Yankees, especially around this time of the year, always generate a good amount of chatter among their fans. Yanks Go Yard takes a look at its mailbag to see what our readers are saying about the team and the articles published by YGY writers. Comments are not edited for content or grammar and appear as written. Links within comments are provided by YGY.

Roy Munson took exception to a story that criticized the Yankees for saying one thing and doing another with the switch from Aaron Judge to Aaron Hicks in right field:

"Both are non Issues. 3 weeks until opening day, the regulars haven’t even started playing back to bay days on a regular schedule yet. Judge has minor league options left and Hicks does not. Hicks is the better defender and when he got a shot to play every day from Late July – September he actually slashed really well. If your upset about Kap pitching 2 innings in a grapefruit league game in March I’m not sure anything about baseball will make you happy. Also the “George Would’ve Done this or that” narrative is old, and stale revisionist history. Keep in Mind George was suspended and out of baseball when the Yankees drafted signed and developed each member of the Core Four. Cash was actually a senior member of the scouting department that brought in those guys… George had nothing to do with bringing them into the org."

But, NyBamBam took a different view:

"Points to Judge for being a good soldier to the media. But I’m starting to get concerned…………First, Refsnyder got jerked to death for fielding failures that did not show up in the stat sheet. Now Judge seems to be the next home-grown Yankee to get Joba’d.Hicks has had many chances over the years to prove he’s more than a marginal 4th outfielder and he hasn’t done that. I do not see what Girardi sees in himMore to the point, my old concerns about the Yankees ability to develop and manage young players is resurfacing and – with a team full of insecure kids and poor ‘old’ Refsnyder looking like they already screwed up his mind – that’s not a good thought…………."

Commenting on a story about Greg Bird being primed for 2017, DonniePassmore offered:

"Looks like Bird has claimed his spot on the diamond. The impressive thing is he has done it on both sides of the ball.Now Judge is still in a dog fight for right field. Hicks and Frazier are hanging tough. Frazier had been incredible seeing he has so little triple A experience. Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner have to see the writing on the wall. Then add Flower to the mix lol pressure is on."

The story about the pitch  by CC Sabathia for Andy Pettitte  to be elected to the Hall of Fame drew this comment from Patrick Kennedy suggesting I calm down a little bit:

"No one is a bigger homer for Andy than myself, but you lost me at the Pedro comparison and the “dominating” comment. Pedro dominated, Andy pitched well. big difference. I am all for any argument for Andy in the hall but I mean… we need to calm down with the hyperbole."

A story that  pushed Dustin Fowler as the next centerfielder  drew a number of comments, including this one from DJ:

"Dustin Fowler is our secret gemstone. I have observed this over the past 2 seaons. He is an excellent CF and can play any OF position. He is the best OF in the Yankees system. He can hit to all fields, drives in alot of runs, and hit alot of triples and doubles last seaon in AA. He has great speed. I can see an OF next season of Judge, Fraizer, Fowler, and later Blake Rutherford among other talents in the OF.The Yankees need to get rid of the clutter Ellsbury, Hicks, Gardner (sadly).and give these young propsects a long look'(next few seasons)."

Reacting to the same story, Slider32 added:

"Fowler and McKinney look like major league players to me. I would bring both of them up mid-season and move Hicks. I think the ideal move for the Yanks right now is to give up Refsynder, Severino, Hicks, Green, and Mateo for Quintana. This gives the Yanks a solid number 2 pitcher, and moves Hicks. I would then move Wade up as a utility man to start the year and bring up Frazier, Fowler, and McKinney when their ready. Yanks should be able to move Gardner mid-season, for another good prospect."

Replying to a story that argued the Yankees  missed the boat on Rob Refsnyder, Bruce had some thoughtful insight (excerpted):

"When Seattle Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto acquired Jean Segura during this past off-season from the Brewers for starting pitcher Taijuan Walker and shortstop Ketel Marte, he made sure the Brewers got back right-hand hitting outfielder Mitch Haniger in the deal. While Haniger’s minor league stats and big-league 2016 short sample size indicates he may potentially provide the Mariners with significant production from the right-hand side, it makes me wonder whether Rob Refsnyder can eventually play a similar role for some club, Bombers or otherwise, in the not-too-distant future."

Bill Andrae also offered:

"Just say it Cashman blew it considering that since 2014 the Yanks knew that Ref wasn’t ever going too be a starter. But in all fairness Cashman has stocked the team with outstanding talent but outside of minor league talent his record is not so good especially with us having Giradi attempt too manage the team."

And finally, for this week, a story that questioned  Chase Headley as our third baseman, drew this reply from Jason:

"unfortunately girardi is going to keep headly in the lineup rain or shine. hes another of girardis guys. best can hope for is an injury or a desperate team comes along in need of a 3bman"

While Michael Bradbury offered:

"He’s our 3d baseman for another year, get used to it.Until one of the kids is READY (not almost ready) he will be."

More from Yanks Go Yard

• 4 blockbuster trade targets that could be Yankees next ‘big’ move
• MLB Network Radio host thinks Yankees should shell out for Dansby Swanson
• Guy who caught Aaron Judge record HR ball cost himself tons of money in auction
• Did Yankees fans bully Hal Steinbrenner into signing Aaron Judge, Carlos Rodón?
• Andrew Benintendi-White Sox deal proves Yankees were right to prioritize Carlos Rodón

That’s A Wrap For Yankees Talk This Week

All good thoughts and they all add to the conversation Yanks Go Yard is dedicated to.

We’ll be back next Tuesday with another edition that opens the Yanks Go Yard Mailbag.

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Til then, don’t be bashful, jump in!