Yankees Talk: Yanks Go Yard Opens Its Mailbag (Vol. 6)

The Yankees are generating 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.

Let’s get right to it with a couple of conflicting views on a story in YGY that wondered if the Yankees need the headache of trying to find Chris Carter at-bats.

JoeDaBeast commented:

"I’m not concerned about Carter trying to get his at bats. If he’s working hard with the Hitting Coach to reduce his strike outs, maybe him coming off the bench when a match-up presents itself, so be it. Then maybe their will be another team that needs a power hitter at DH, comes a knocking……..maybe."

While Nicholas Koutsoftas countered with:

"I agree. I think this signing still makes sense. No matter what he is still a big bat coming off the bench and perhaps his limited at bats will make him zone in on pitches more and cut down on the k’s. The Yankees of the late 90’s would also bring in sluggers as bench players, Glenallen Hill, Canseco, Sierra to name a few."

Next, an article about the Yankees and their fans facing an Inconvenient Truth in 2017 drew some spirited exchanges:

blackcat clearly doesn’t buy into the Yankees at all:

"Here’s the real inconvenient truth: the Yankees are going NOWHERE this year, and they’re not going to have the sense to sell both Tanaka and Pineda at the deadline, meaning that they’ll have NOTHING next year in the pitching department, and nothing to show for it. Mediocrity today, mediocrity tomorrow!"

While Soundknight appears to be ready for the long haul (excerpt):

"I say let the veteran’s play and hope for the best. It’s really a win-win situation the Yankees have now. Having the abundance of players allow the Yankees to have more trade fodder. And let’s say the veteran’s improve the game they bring to the field this year, if we have a baby bomber that is ready to replace that producing everyday player, then we can trade that player to replenish our minor league affiliates. Or we can rest on the laurels of our vets and trade the corresponding prospect(s) to fill some need (wink-wink more reliable starting pitching)."

Next, we published a story that wondered if Billy McKinney was the real steal of the deal that brought Gleyber Torres to the Yankees.

slider32 added to the discussion:

"McKinney was a first round draft pick with the A’s , he has the talent to play in the majors. Yanks will have to be right with their evaluation of the talent they have in the outfield right now and not make the wrong decision. A lot of the youngsters look good this spring. It looks like Judge starts the year and Hicks is the 4th outfielder, but these young players are going to be pushing their way to the majors by the summer. Frazier, McKinney, and Fowler move up rapidly if they show well in the minors. One thing for sure is the Yanks need to find a way to trade Gardner by the deadline to open up a spot for Frazier. Their biggest problem is going to be able to trad Ellsbury, hopefully he will play up to his contract this year so that it’s not a problem."

And Donnie Passmore offered:

"He is a special talent. Yankees have Fowler, Frazier, Rutherford and Judge all ahead of him in the pecking. Right now Frazier is winning the battle for right field but McKinney is pushing him hard. He is better suited to be a fourth outfielder than Judge or Frazier."

Next up, readers found some humor in a tongue-in-cheek story about a mascot for the Yankees:

HooHaa joined the fun with this:

"My guess is the Yankees would sign an aging Phillies Fanatic to a 7 year $250m deal and be stuck holding the bag as usual"

And finally, a story that pitched for Gleyber Torres as the Opening Day shortstop drew a host of comments, including these from two YGY readers:

First, Derrick_Pasley came in with this:

"Here’s the issue. They can’t assume that he will pick up second base so easily (maybe he can). It is a tough position and requires communication with the shortstop. The throws from behind second base when he goes to his right will be difficult until he gets some consistent reps. Also, don’t assume that third base is that simple either. Castro might have a transition period there, and having two players at unfamiliar positions at the same time could be disastrous. At the same time, if Cash and Girardi are willing to ride out the kinks, I would be all for Torres making the team and moving Castro to third….but they would need to commit to it, same as they need to commit to Judge."

Then, John came back to Derrick with:

"First off they need to treat him like the cubs did with Bryant, extend his FA. Play him at 2nd in the minors. I think the yanks will be solid this year as is. Next year bring him up after opening day at 2nd. Didi and Torres up the middle will be nice!!Bring up Andujar also next year. If he doesnt work out go for Manny and trade Castro"

But Derrick had the final word:

"I don’t necessarily think the Yankees should hold him back to save money. If they truly think he is ready now, they should find a way to get him up here now. But if they think another season is required, even if the team needs more players today, they should leave him in the minors. At the end of the day, it’s about the team’s best interests at winning. Most likely, if Torres hits as well as they say, he will get an opportunity later in the season. Maybe by then Steinbrenner will be ready to cut ties with Headley. My only suggestion is that they don’t repeat their mistake that they made with Joba Chamberlain. Find a position for Torres and stick with it. Not many players are Ben Zobrist or Michael Young, who can adopt to new positions on the fly."

That’s A Wrap Yankees Fans

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

Yankees: Four Reasons Why They’ll Make The Playoffs In 2017

The Yankees are showing their fans a lot during this Preseason. But there's more to come and the opportunity to play baseball is a real possibility.

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