Yankees Trade Rumors: Too much talk and very little action

The Yankees and many of their fans have probably reached the point where it’s time to say, “Let’s just get this thing done.” And I’m not talking about the Gray deal. I’m talking about the whole confusing conundrum of talk.

When Yankees fans, including this writer, pull up the go-to MLB Trade Rumors Page, what greets them well-detailed, but very confusing and often conflicting “tidbits” of information gathered from some of the most respected writers covering the baseball scene.

If Joel Sherman or Ken Rosenthal say something, you have to pay attention. No? Usually yes, but maybe not for the next 36 hours. See, the way it works is everybody wants to be right, and nobody wants to be wrong. So, what you do is you hedge your bets.

Sonny Gray will be traded and the Yankees are are still the favorites to consummate a deal with Billy Beane to acquire his services. That much is probably a true statement, and I reported on it myself.

But where things get a little foggy is when ESPN’s Jerry Krasnick jumps into the fray with this tidbit:

The Yankees “might take” first baseman Yonder Alonso to help “facilitate” a Gray deal, but they aren’t currently focused on first base, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick writes (Twitter links). If the Athletics don’t reduce their price for Gray, the Yankees are prepared to look elsewhere. To state the obvious, Alonso is a terrific asset in his own right, and does not fit the profile of a player a team would take merely to facilitate a trade.

Or, how about this lump of cereal for breakfast this morning?

Heyman, Sherman, Bob Nightengale of USA Today and Buster Olney of ESPN (on Twitter) each report that the A’s and Yankees are making progress in Gray talks. There’s “optimism” a deal will happen, per Nightengale.As expected, Oakland has pushed Gray’s next start from Sunday to Monday, reports Joe Stiglich of NBC Sports California (Twitter link).The A’s talks centering on Gray have been heavier with the Yankees than any other team over the past 48 hours, per Morosi (Twitter link).

Say no more, and that includes me

More from Yanks Go Yard

• Yankees top prospects butt heads after Giants’ gritty win over Commanders
• CC Sabathia defends Yankees’ massive Aaron Judge contract
• Scott Boras closed Yankees-Carlos Rodón deal from Fenway Park, put cherry on top
• Orioles are bailing out Yankees and AL East by botching free agency
• 4 blockbuster trade targets that could be Yankees next ‘big’ move

No need to read the whole excerpt, but you get the idea, right? At this point, why bother reading this stuff, my stuff, your best friend’s stuff, or anybody’s stuff?

So, for the next 36 hours, I pledge to do what Yanks Go Yard does best, which is to analyze and detail the impact of what the Yankees do or don’t do, both on and off the field.

Once a deal is made, or isn’t made as the case may be, then it’s time to delve in to find out how it affects the Yankees. Do we have a deal?

Moving on, there’s a game today

By virtue of yesterday’s win against Tampa Bay, the Yankees are now ten games over .500, have won six straight, and they’re 8-2 in their last ten games. That’s the run we’ve all been looking for.

Coupled with Boston’s impressive win over the Royals last night, the Yankees maintain a slim half-game lead over the Sox in the AL East.

Today’s 1:05 P.M. EST start at Yankee Stadium features Jordan Montgomery (7-5, 3.92) making the start for the Bombers. Montgomery took a no-hitter into the sixth inning in his last start and is regaining the form he had earlier in the season.

He’ll be opposed by one of those pitchers Tampa Bay seems to propagate in multiples, rookie Jacob Faria (5-1, 2.67).

Next: Will the Yankees eliminate starting pitchers altogether?

After today, the Detroit Tigers and Justin Verlander come in to face the Yankees before the Bombers go on the road with four games against the defending American League champions, Cleveland Indians, in what should be a barn-burner series.

As always, the Yanks Go Yard Facebook Page remains available for readers to post their thoughts and comments on anything Yankees. Please, join the discussion.