For the time being, Patrick Corbin is pitching brilliantly for the Diamondbacks, but Bob Nightengale of USA Today writes that he could have been doing so for the Yankees. It was reported that the New York organization looked into dealing for Corbin over the winter, but Nightengale suggests that the interested was more focused than was realized at the time. It’s anyone’s guess how things will play out in the future, but Nightengale notes that Corbin is the member of a family of rabid Yankees fans. It’s not hard to connect the dots, at least speculatively, but Corbin also says he’s happy in Arizona and would be amenable to discussing a new deal during the season.
Here’s more from the AL East:
- As the Yankees get their first look at top prospect Gleyber Torres at the major-league level, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic looks at how the gifted youngster ended up in New York. (Subscription link.) Yanks GM Brian Cashman says that the organization had targeted Torres years before as an amateur. That made it all the more exciting when he was finally landed via trade.
- Rosenthal goes on to discuss a few other subjects of note, including some hypothetical trade suitors for Orioles shortstop Manny Machado. As Craig Edwards writes at Fangraphs, Machado seems to be a clear mid-season trade candidate given the O’s putrid start to the season and his pending free agency. Edwards gives the numbers on just how deep a hole the Baltimore club appears to be in, arguing the team ought to begin listening to offers even if it decides to wait and allow bidding to drive up the return for the star infielder.
- The Blue Jays have received some promising news on the health front, as Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports (Twitter links). Star third baseman Josh Donaldson is just one step away from a rehab assignment. That said, it’s not an insignificant one for a player whose shoulder issues created notable problems throwing across the diamond. Presently, Donaldson is long tossing, but he’ll still need to make throws on the field before he goes out to an affiliate for a tune-up. Meanwhile, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is set to begin baseball activities for the first time since undergoing heel surgery.
- There’s also progress to report for Rays righty Nathan Eovaldi, as Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. Eovaldi, whose long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery was thwarted when he required another procedure late this spring, has already managed a 25-pitch pen session. It’s possible he could be back in the big leagues within a month or so, says Topkin, which seems like a reasonably promising prognosis for a player who has endured significant health questions. Of course, given the club’s poor start to the year, it could be that Eovaldi will be looking to pitch his way into a trade chip once he’s back.
Can there be any argument that Didi is a top 5 shortstop in MLB…
right now? Hes probably the best player?
Over the course of time? Very, very debatable
That argument has been out. Now he’s cementing his spot as a sure fire top 5 SS
Absolutely. We thought 20 years ago was amazing with ARod, Jeter and Nomar. The guys today are amazing.
*meant to say the guys today ARE amazing.
#1 when playing at Yankee Stadium. #25 playing on the road. Having a 83 wRC+ on the road definitely does not make him top 5.
He’s not so bad on the road he drops 20 places in listing the top shortstops in The MLB.
An 83 wRC+ is about what Stephen Drew hit with the Yankees in 2015.
Take a look at what he did on the road last year pal. Not even a month into the season and you start this weak sauce.
Last year he wasn’t a top 5 short stop, buddy.
And we’re not talking about him being a lock for top five until this year,though it could be argued he was close last year. You brought up the road,in which he did more damage,compadre.
You can’t use this “not even a month in” argument when some brings up his flaws, but then go “look at what he’s done so far this year” when you’re talking about how good he is.
You can’t triple stamp a double stamp!
The guy posted about top 5 pretty much now and this guy posted last year stats. Not hard to see he’s just trolling or are you.
I’m a Sox fan but Didi has done nothing but improve each year in NY. Not marginally but to the next level year to year. This is after taking over for a HOF NY legend. There are many great SS today but the only one I’d take over him is Lindor.
You can definitely say he’s behind seager, Correa, Machado, Lindor, and Simmons. Then it’s just how you rank Bogaerts, Turner, Gregorius, and Andrea imo
Since 2016 Didi is 4th overall in WAR behind only Seager, Lindor and Correa. I would say there’s a legit argument that can be had saying he should be in strong consideration of being a top 5 SS.
Machado wasn’t listed because he hasn’t been a SS until this year. However, Didi is neck and neck with Manny right now too.
Sure. And he was not good in the clutch during the post season.
You should move your nose from excel sheets on your computer Vinnie and WATCH THE GAME.
His glove is as good as anybody!
His homers are not cheap ones!
Best all around SS in MLB!!
Maybe but currently nothing can touch Simmons
He is very Ozzie like with his glove
Anybody who doesnt think Didi is top 5 SS right now havent been paying attention and rely to heavily on The Shredders lists. Slick fielder with good range and a great arm. He covers the plate well, doesnt strike out a lot, and gets good wood on the ball a lot. Theres a reason he booty blasted AL Cy Young winner Kluber twice in the same playoff game where Kluber shut every one else down. Hes for real. Ive been behind Didi since he arrived on the Yankees and watching him year after year has been a treat. In his first year his hitting picked up in the second half of the season and it hasnt stopped improving. Im not sure he’ll hit 45 HR’s since he is mainly a line drive hitter but who knows anymore. Skys the limit.
I think I can go my entire like with never, ever hearing the term “booty blast” and be quite ok with that. Images of OZ and Scared Straight flood my mind when I hear that. Especially when talking about dudes.
Bye guys. Let me go build or hunt something….
Absolutely.
Absolutely right!
Yeah I don’t know why my comment was that far down. I said absolutely to Didi top 5. He’s a stud in my opinion. Underrated despite playing in a marquee market on a marquee team.
If Didi continues to have an all-star caliber season then I sincerely hope that curtails any thoughts of signing Machado, and for that matter, Bryce Harper too. I’d rather had Didi from age 29-33 on a 5/$100 mil deal than Machado from age 26-33 on a 10/$240 mil deal.
I would rather the Yanks land a #1 or #2 starter in the FA market this off-season.
Patrick Corbin would be an excellent sign if it’s on a relatively short deal. Although I do agree with you on no need for Machado,I’m gonna disagree with you on not signing Harper. Picture a 2-3-4-5-6 part of the Batting order in Judge-Harper-Stanton-Didi-Sanchez.
Although that is a good 23456, the Yankees already have a bloated OF as is and need to figure out how to bring C. Frazier into the picture. I think their offense is fine as it is, pushing the limits of the all time team season HR record, and they should probably spend most of their money on pitching.
Gardner is more then likely gone after this year and in no way should Frazier be anything to stop from signing Harper. Look at it this way he’s a much needed LH power bat,his dad is a Yankees fan and he’s extremely close to his dad,the Yankees would have their best lineup since 2009 maybe even 98-2000. Frazier will more then likely be used for pitching this year at the deadline if not sooner.
That’s overkill. Having a team filled with all-stars is great when they are all young guys earning nothing. But Harper is not a need when he;s going to demand a 10/$300-$400 mil deal and you already have great hitters in the line-up but a somewhat year to year rotation.
It sure would be an amazing lineup for sure . But you win championships with pitching and defense ! The Yankees should worry about their rotation now
No you don’t. You win championships with wins. It doesn’t matter if those wins come from hitting, pitching, defense, base running, arm strength, pitch framing, shifts, playing proper matchups, excellent bullpen and bench management, etc. Get with the times, grandpa.
Edwards on fangraphs said the cards would be the least likely to acquire machado because they would need to move one of Wong, Gyorko, or carp in the deal. I don’t understand that logic at all. The orioles have no in house replacement for machado and Gyorko or least likely carp would fill that gap. COmbo that with a couple prospects and that seems like an easy fit.
Totally agree…I think the Cardinals should be considered a favorite….Dejong could easily slide over to third base…The Cardinals have a ton of pitching talent that could make the trade possible…also I think Gyrko wants out of St. Louis…not because he hates St. Louis but because he is not getting the playing time he deserves….He was one of the top third basemen in the league last year and now he is sitting the bench for the most part. Give them Gyrko ( i really like gyrko) and throw in a couple of pitching prospects not named Flaherty or Reyes I think it could work
may have to part with one of your outfield prospects Bader or O’Neill to bring machado in. Gyorko won’t hold a ton of value to the orioles because he only has 2 years left on his deal. Machado is obviously a massive upgrade. Cards could part with either OF prospects given their depth there. Fowler, ozuna, and Pham have the OF locked up for at least the next 2 years. Brach could hold some appeal to STL as he would to any contender as well.
If that is what the Orioles want I’m sure the Cardinals would part with that…I would rather keep Bader…O’Neil, Gyorko, and a pitching prospect…the cardinal could easily part with that and not blink an eye really
Beckham could easily move back to SS
for the O’s. Carp or Goyrko could go to 3B. But I don’t see the Cards giving up much this year when they can wait
and sign him as a free agent in the offseason !
I would imagine Dbacks make qualifying offers to both pollock and pollock. Both would reject them though.
Pollock might accept the QO but there’s no way Pollock would.
Yeah, seems like a 50/50 shot.
corbin and pollock…oops
Nathan Eovaldi, soon to be the answer to a trivia question: who headlined the trade with the Yankees that brought David Phelps and Martin Prado to Miami? Even if Eovaldi hadn’t needed TJ, it’s hard to imagine how that trade could have been a good one for the Bronx.
Prado is good, they gave up him and a replacement level pitcher for a young flamethrower with upside. Eovaldi never blossomed in New York but even in hindsight it was exactly a horrible trade.
Phelps isn’t special but still better than Eovaldi. That part of the trade was arguably a wash, but only before factoring in Prado.
You aren’t going to get nearly as much for < half a year of machado.
But sure give the birds a few d prospects and let them hype them up.