Yankees end of year mailbag: Questions and comments from readers

The Yankees play for the money and the fame. But the fans read and leave comments for the passion of it all. Now, at the end of 2017, here’s a column just for you.

Yankees’’ fans and readers, you do us Yankees writers a great honor when you spend a small portion of your time reading otherwise pointless ones and zeroes. But we gather here at sites like this one because we all love the Yankees.

There’s a difference between the players and the writers, though, outside of the money and the fame and the hot chicks (no one tell my wife I wrote that!); okay, there are a lot of differences.

But the one I was mainly referring to is that they play for money, but we write for love.

And community. I never write an article without hoping it will become part of a larger conversation, out there in Yankees universe. For me, when people take time to read my contribution to that conversation, and in particular then add their thoughts as well, it means being accepted in.

But it also creates a responsibility. This is not just my space to fill; it is ours. So, now, here at the end of the year, this one’s just for you, Yankees’ fans!

I’ve written a lot since last you got your turn, and so we’ll go back all the way to the most debated time of the year, the trade deadline.

And the Blake Rutherford controversy.

I’m Just an Advocate

Later, I advocated further trades in a piece called, Yankees need to trade Jorge Mateo and Domingo Acevedo for Sonny Gray. No quotes are needed for you to understand the main thrust of the article.

As expected, there were mixed opinions.

NYBamBam • 5 months ago No, trading Mateo is a bad idea. He’s just recovering his value and he’s an impact player who can play CF, 2B, SS and probably the other outfield positions. Even if he is blocked out a starting job, he can latch on as a supersub, until his performance pushes someone out. Better to move someone who is rule 5 eligible and won’t make the 40 man roster in the winter,for a rental pitcher and or 1B.

Calvin M • 5 months ago It was called a “slide rule” not a “slide ruler”, and I pretty certain that the only ones still around are crammed in the back of some old engineer’s desk or framed and hanging on somebody’s wall as an ironic reference to the passing of the old in the computer age. The writer got the reference right in the later paragraphs and I am inclined to agree with his analysis of Mateo. Acevedo, on the other hand, is more of a question, as young pitchers always are until they are given a chance to pitch in the big leagues. Sonny Gray has a mixed record of success and mediocrity and might be what the Yankees need or he might be like several other pitchers with a record of success who were acquired by the Yankees and were dismal flops. Kevin Brown and Carl Pavano, anyone? So I guess the trade would be a reasonable gamble for both sides, and if successful, might serve both teams well.

Ray Rardin • 5 months ago Jorge Mateo isn’t very good – he isn’t even listed in Baseball America’s updated top 100 prospects. Billy Beane is not going to trade Gray to the Yankees unless he gets either Gleyber Torres or Clint Frazier. Having seen Frazier in the 2015 Arizona Fall League, he wouldn’t be my first choice. Has power but there are massive holes in his swing: therefore, a ton of strikeouts in his future. I wouldn’t make the trade unless Gleyber Torres and a few pitching prospects were involved.

As a reminder, the Yankees traded Mateo, P James Karelian and OF Dustin Fowler for Gray. Both Kap and Fowler were injured and out for the season at the time. That’s a trade I know I am happy about, as I continued to push for it in subsequent articles.

But I wonder what Billy, Ray, et al., think of the trade, now that it has been completed?

The Trader, or is that Traitor?

Before we move on from the mania that was July, I have to mention one more article, for the responses it produced. On the day of the aforementioned trade, I wrote a piece with the bloviated title, Yankees Brian Cashman will craft his final legacy today.

The main points were that Cash should make trades, but needed to be very circumspect and that this particular trade deadline was a key turning point in the rebuild.

So make no mistake about it: Today, Brian Cashman will either build an empire or compromise one. And it’s success now and over the next decade will decide the final verdict on Brian Cashman, Yankees GM. That’s a hell of a day.

After all the debates, and long after the initial Rutherford trade, Yankees fans had different viewpoints, but most were very insightful.

Greg Antonacci • 5 months ago Setting out to build a dynasty is a fool’s errand. There are so many unknowables in baseball, injuries, slumps mistaken for talent limitations and hot streaks mistaken for development, etc. The best you can do is build for the next couple of seasons and try to anticipate future needs as best you can.

Corky • 5 months ago They have to take a shot and get Gray. I don’t believe I’m saying that. I’m someone who tends to over love prospects.I love Fowler and hope they don’t trade him. But in the last few days I’ve been thinking they may. I’m not sold on Hicks. Never have liked him even with the hot two months. The injuries to Hicks and Fowler were big. Hicks was starting to fade. Maybe it was a temporary blip, but I don’t think so. If he doesn’t get hurt, maybe they find out the first two months were a mirage and pursue a different course now. In my opinion, if they put too much reliance in Hicks it will be a mistake. In Fowler’s case, if that injury doesn’t happen, maybe we get a better feel for what he’s got. I think he’s got plenty, but I’ve been wrong before. I would move Wade for sure. Torreyes has the goods. Besides, I think Thairo Estrada could be very good. Anyway, less than two hours to go before midnight. let’s see what they do.

Thomas Bonafede • 5 months ago I am in total agreement. You can’t establish a dynasty without replacement parts set up at every level to substitute when something breaks down. Putting the team in a situation where every year means counting on major free agent acquisitions to compete hasn’t worked too well. As the old saying goes, those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. The decision Cashman makes today will play a huge part in determining the future of this ballclub.

John J Wiggins • 5 months ago What legacy, the legacy of running the entire ballclub into the ground? Cashman is the team’s biggest abomination especially in recent years because he loves minor leaguers so much, he would rather have them on the ballclub rather than sign a free agent or even trade for a halfway decent player.

John, I wonder what you think, now?

But of all the comments left at any time this past year, perhaps none was more prophetic than this one:

NYBamBam • 5 months ago Gray is not gonna give the Yankees a WS championship. This year clearly belongs to Houston. The Yankees cannot advance to the WS without beating Houston. Yankees are 2-5 against the Astros and the only starting Yankee pitcher who beat them was Pineda (once). Every starting pitcher on the Yankees (with more than a couple of starts) has been beaten by Houston. So has Garcia Will Gray make the difference? No, Gray hasn’t beaten them this season, he got chased after 5, giving up 5 runs.

You know, Bam, you can tell a young person there is no Santa Claus. And he or she will probably be better off. But don’t expect that person to thank you. You were right, NY, but I am not going to congratulate you. Now, can you please predict the Yankees will win it all this year?

Health Issues

August saw the Yankees flounder but never drop farther than the top wild-card spot. One big reason was that several of the Yankees starters were injured. Another, of course, was that Judge struggled.

However, as September approached, it seemed very likely that the team that looked so dominant in April and May might get healthy in time for that last month and beyond.

And I said as much in a piece called, The Yankees are about to get healthy and make the AL East sick, which included the comment that:

Bird will send Headley back to third; Andujar might send him to the bench. And he could do that as early as four weeks from now. By then, the Yankees might have already added the other three and not only re-created their intimidating first half offense, but improved it.

Please, dear reader, take a moment to note the difference between the, “will,” and the, “might.” As expected, some agreed and some did not. And one even reminded me I forgot about a key player.

Jack Marshall • 5 months ago Calm down. All of those marks you assume that the injured players are going to return to from earlier in the season were way, waaaay beyond their owners’ established or predicted levels. Interesting that there is no mention of Aaron Judge, who is currently giving a master class in “regression to the mean.” Didi is NOT an 800+ OPS player. Neither is Hicks. Neither is Castro. You’re assuming that Bird will play like a superstar based on Spring Training? This post reads like the things desperate 12-year-old fans of mediocre teams say when they are whistling past the graveyard in March: “If everybody has a great year, we’ll win!” The Yankee offense played over its head in the first half, and reasonable, rational fans knew it was a mirage. I bet you were convinced that Sanchez was going to be Johnny Bench this year too. Right? And by the way, the starting pitching isn’t championship caliber. Hey, but if CC’s knee feels better and he pitches like he did five years ago, watch out! Grow up.

Jack, if you are auditioning for the role of my new dad, you got the part!

But I did not base my assumptions about Bird strictly on Spring Training. He was always projected as a top hitter, produced every year he was healthy in the minors, and he was once the Arizona Fall League MVP. Cashman said he considered him the Yankees’ top prospect in 2015.

Still, you were right to be suspect as he has not done it in the majors. And he still has not put together even close to a full season. Others were more circumspect, though.

Michael Bennett • 5 months ago We’ll see. Jack is dead wrong about Did and Castro, they’ve both been steadily improving year to year, they’re right where they’ve been projected to be. Hicks…I’m really curious to see if he can pick up where he left off, hitting wise, his other tools are fine. As far as the Bird saga, I looked it up – there are 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles in the foot. How in the world can those 14,397 docs all miss the fracture of the one friggin bone? Was it something that only exploratory surgery can find? If not, they should do exploratory surgery on those guys heads to see if they have unnecessary or unused brain cells floating around up there.

john doe • 5 months ago Did you forget about Todd Frazier? Where does he go when “Bird sends Headley back to third” or when “Andujar sends Headley to the bench”?

Yes, yes, I did. Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa.

Now, John, in fairness to me I said Andujar “might” send him to the bench. But you were right, and so was I. Bird did indeed send Headley back to third, where he split time with Frazier. I think it might even be fair to argue that he was more important than Chase. Good on you, John.

Okay, I was a Little Mean

Maybe no piece I wrote this year produced more passionate opinions on both sides than, The Yankees need to end their relationship with Bryan Mitchell.

This was an especially mean-spirited and acerbic article, with statements such as:

Well, the point is, a man of your talent—your very, very limited talent—is wasting his time here in New York. And more importantly, you’re wasting my time.

Some laughed along; some definitely did not.

Donnie Passmore • 4 months ago Lol hard to justify a spot for Bryan……..

Rj Suitor • 4 months ago Why are the Yankees continure this blind loyalty to the likes of Mitchell and Cessa with so much better talent languishing in the minors. Yankees get some common sense please trade, DFA or banish these guys to the minors. Tired of these project pitchers..cut them lose!

auggieX • 4 months ago Dear Joe, Prior to my admittedly bad game vs. the Mets, I felt I’ve done pretty well. Despite being used as a starter in the minors and erratically in the majors, I have pitched as well as can be expected. Heck, if you took away three appearances, my ERA is stellar. (BTW we are 2-1 in those games.) Find a different scapegoat, perhaps Aroldis’s dead arm or Mr. Judge’s disappearing act. Suck this, BBM

Pmhgroup • 4 months ago Dear Cory “Santa” Claus. (The Santa refeference is obviously for your rather rotund belly, not your jolly attitude.) You penned a rather personal attack, a hateful rant towards a young man after a particularly rough outing. My what a tough guy you are to be so bold as to spew such hate with your pen. One imagines it is highly likely you spend the majority of your nights, watching the Yankees at home, sitting alone, on a worn out couch, eating cheese doodles while you scream obscenities at your television. Still the adult fans of the Yankees wish talentless hacks like you would keep your childish thoughts to yourself. And do yourself a favor, put down the snacks and find yourself a gym.

Nice try, but I still like Jack better as a new dad. Although, this sounds more like mom. But I put out the vibe and have no complaints that it was returned to me. I laughed quite a bit, Pmhgroup, but, once again, it’s crunchy Cheetos, not Doodles.

But Yankees fans are going to talk about what they want to talk about. So, many of the comments quickly turned into a referendum on Joe Girardi.

Jim Hall • 4 months ago Send Giardi with Mitchell he sucks worse! How can you leave a pitcher in until he gives up 4 runs and nobody warming up in the bullpen, then do the same with the next pitcher but he only gave up two runs when he could get the ball over the plate. I’ve been a Yankee fan since 1947 and the only Yankee manager as bad as Girardi is Stump Merrill.

ed greeno  Jim Hall • 4 months ago You got that right Jim I also have been a Yankee’s fan since 1947 and you are Joe Girardi is a loser

Bill Andrae • 4 months ago The Yankees need to end their relationship with Joe Giradi as long as he continues we will never reach our goals. True we need to part with some pitchers,but how come we keep giving Cessna, Caleb Smith chances when all they seem to know is give up homeruns so leys be real and first thing thos off season is part ways with Giradi.

This is not a debate with a satisfying conclusion for anyone. The Yankees did indeed jettison Mitchell a day or two later. And they did great without him. But neither I nor anyone else knows if the team would have found the same success with him.

And Cashman also fired Girardi. But that was after an unexpected run to Game Seven of the ALCS. If the team wins it all next year, it will be very easy to hypothesize they could have done it with Joe, as well.

Honorable Mention

For the rest of the year, most of us became fans and spectators. The only comment worth pausing at was made when I suggested Judge might win the AL MVP, in a piece entitled, Yankees 2017 MVP and the rest of their regular season awards.

I enjoyed the discussion about eventual and deserved winner Jose Altuve but was surprised at the push back against Judge as even the Yankees MVP.

Corky • 3 months ago There is one important stat that has been somewhat overlooked. Close and late. Aaron Judge is hitting .215. Jose Altuve is hitting well over .400. That should be a valuable MVP metric. Judge is a very dangerous hitter, but as I have stated before, he hits the vast majority of his home runs during innings one through five, or in blowouts either ahead or behind. Still he’s a very exciting, dynamic player and his at bats are electric no matter what he does.

SteveB • 3 months ago I’m with Corky on his opinion of Judge, but I suspect that as he gains more MLB experience he will learn how to relax himself in clutch situations. With the game on the line I want to see Didi, Gardner or Sanchez at bat, in that order, preferably with Ellsbury or Judge as the key baserunner. Yes, I said Judge on base. He has really impressed me with his ability to “read the play” as a baserunner. The broadcasters don’t usually mention this.

It is hard to argue against Didi as the best person to be at the plate with the game on the line. Still, while Judge might not always do damage with his bat, his team-leading OBP makes him the first person I would want up in a key ninth inning, followed by Didi.

Of course, we all just sat back and enjoyed the ride the Yankees went on, with little but observations to make. I will not review the article, but I must admit I predicted the Yankees would lose to the Indians. Please see Jack Marshall’s comments above for how I feel about that one.

Yes, Virginia, Adding the NL MVP is a Good Thing

After the season, I took time out to write a book. But I returned just in time to read the tea leaves and write this, I think, before anyone else: YanksGoYard Alert: Yankees about to land Giancarlo Stanton.

The Yankees are reportedly finalizing a deal to bring four-time All-Star Giancarlo Stanton to the Bronx. While intriguing, the signing would raise as many questions as it would answer.

As usual with a group of passionate people, the reaction was mixed. What was not expected was that this, too, would turn in part into a discussion on the recent change in manager.

Derek Tibin • 21 days ago This is a stupid trade! Here we go give up top prospect for a guy that can’t stay healthy…when will the front office learn that these types of trades don’t work, remember ARod….this has to be a joke!

Michael Bradbury • 21 days ago You guys are brainless. Or Cashman is. Can’t play a whole team of clean up hitters. Someone has to set the table. Can’t play 4 outfielders either. OR add a 325M contract and stay under the cap………………….. Keep that day job!

Sai H  • 21 days ago I’ll actually be for it even if it means sacrificing Castro.

John J Wiggins • 8 days ago Cashman, and his inward thinking. He got rid of Girardi and hired Boone (who we all know has no discipline and it shows when he got injured in the offseason after 2003, leaving the Yankees to sign A-Rod). So, with Boone at the helm the Yankees are pre-destined to fail.

RCJ  John J Wiggins • 7 days ago I’m very skeptical with that move. My opinion is if it weren’t for Giradi the Yanks wouldn’t get as far as they did. I think it was one of his best years as the manager. Other than the no call review blunder in the playoffs, the team still rallied and won the series. Hope this move don’t backfire on them.

As we know, the deal was finalized that day, and Stanton is now a Yankee. We’ll all just have to wait and see how the two moves work, but it is difficult to understand how the trade is not a big win for the Bombers.

And I think Boone will do a great job, but I think Joe would have, as well. If the Yankees win a championship with Boonie at the helm, I will be the first to celebrate the decision. But sports is all about performance; when I see how he does, I will render my opinion.

Clint Will Be Traded

About the only thing any of us have had to write or think about since then is whether the Yankees will make another trade. And if that trade will and should include RF Clint Frazier and RHP Chance Adams; I am for it. Here are some of the opinions on the topic, without needing to reference any one specific article.

Micsaw • 15 days ago Agree, don’t trade anyone. Especially Clint Frazier who to me looks like the next Harper, let’s see what Adams can do. We can always trade at the deadline

Nelson Cobb  Micsaw • 14 days ago The next Harper, are you kidding me??? Harper doesn’t have plate discipline and patience issues. The guy had 7 walks in 39 games. He’s not anywhere near the level of Harper, and never will be. And the crazy thing, Harper isn’t even 2 years older than Frazier. Good chance Frazier is a low BA, low OBP Slugger. He’s gonna provide some nice extra base hit totals, but what is gonna help him do that is the same thing that’s probably gonna cause him to struggle with K’s and lack walks, his over aggressive nature. If the Yankees can add Cole with Frazier and some pitching lower than Adams, they shouldn’t hesitate. I’m not about giving up both Frazier and Adams for Cole cause Cole had struggles last year, especially with the HR, and has had injury issues in recent years too. So there is risk with him, enough I don’t think you give up both Frazier and Adams, but only 1 of em. There’s some other good pitching prospects in the Yankees system to choose from, and if they need somebody for the rotation immediately, they can take Cessa. Frazier, Cessa, Tate and 1 more lower level prospect.

joel smith • 15 days ago I agree with a lot of what you proposed with the exception of Montgomery. He had a stellar rookie debut and I think he has the potential to be a cost controlled #3 for a number of years. Even a number #4 who eats 175 innings at 350 to 4 era is a great asset in today’s mlb. I honestly think the yanks are overreacting a bit with the rotation. It was the home grown youth that took them to the alcs game 7. I think they should resign c.c. , take a flyer on a veteran starter and adjust if necessary at the trade deadline. Give Adams and German a chance if someone goes down. And give 2nd and 3rd to Miguel and torreyes til gleybar is ready and his service time isn’t affected.

jason(thehallospaceboy) • 15 days ago I really hope they dont trade fraizer these articles about having to do so are nonsense. A future outfield (sadly w gardner a fa next year) in 19 of judge fraizer and florial (w hicks holding cf untill hes ready) could be a monster and if one of the two doesn’t fully pan out trout will most likely be opting out in 19!

Derek Tibin • 15 days ago Don’t trade anyone! Unless you can get cy young caliber pitcher, I would keep bringing up the kids. Not sure why they don’t like Adams, but he the best pitcher to come through the system in many years numbers wise.

Michael Bradbury • 14 days ago You are the first person to suggest that the Yanks don’t see Adams as a future starter. Where are you coming up with that?

Michael, that is a great question.

More from Yankees Minor Leagues

• Yankees’ Jasson Dominguez ranks in tough spot on Arizona Fall League Top Prospects list
• Yankees protect only 1 top prospect from 2022 Rule 5 Draft, take major risk
• Scouts ripping Yankees’ Jasson Dominguez’s AFL performance need to get real
• Ranking Yankees prospects heading to Arizona Fall League
• Yankees 2022 first-round pick Spencer Jones ended season on a rampage

It is just another example of trying to read the tea leaves. There were times when the Yankees were desperate for starters. Still, they never called Adams up. 

There could be a lot of reasons for that, and one of those is that they don’t think he is good enough to start in MLB and don’t want to ruin his trade value by exposing him. I can’t say that it is the truth, but it is a theory that fits the facts, and the one I believe to be true.

That’s the best I can do, combined with my years watching the sport. That’s the same with my recent piece on Scott Boras, in which I said his machinations had pushed the off-season to its current stagnant state.

Now, I don’t know that for a fact. I would not swear to it in court. But it is a theory that fits the facts and is, in my opinion, the main reason. Sometimes you have to go out on a limb. If it works, it means you are feeling the pulse. If not, perhaps best to speculate less.

I hope that answers your question.

Next: The Yankee and Major League Baseball React to Scott Boras

The Same to All of You

But most importantly, thank you for asking it. And thanks to everyone who read and/or left a comment or question this year.

With a new year dawning, a new season will not be far behind. No matter what anyone thinks of the moves made in 2017, everyone can agree 2018 will be an exciting one. That means a lot more too-lengthy columns from me, and comments, debates and questions from you.

Now that is something to look forward to. Well, maybe not Jack’s comments, but still.