The Yankees have gone without their best player, injured right fielder Aaron Judge, since July 26, but it appears he’s getting closer to a return as the playoffs draw nearer. Judge participated in on-field drills Friday for the first time since he suffered a chip fracture in his right wrist, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com relays, leading to excitement from manager Aaron Boone. “This is what we’ve been waiting for this whole time, for that pain to get out of there, for him to be able to really swing,” said Boone, who added, “Now it’s just a matter of getting back up to baseball speed, building that stamina and then obviously graduating to live pitching, to seeing an actual pitcher.” Judge would like to return to the majors within two weeks, Hoch notes, and doing so would give him time to shake off some rust prior to the Yankees’ wild-card round matchup in early October.
More on the Bronx Bombers…
- Outfielder Brett Gardner is the current longest-tenured Yankee, having debuted with the team back in 2008, but his future is in question beyond this season, Ken Davidoff of the New York Post points out. The Yankees will head into 2019 with a host of corner outfield possibilities, regardless of whether Gardner’s still with them, and a decision to make on his $12.5MM club option (or $2MM buyout). While the Yankees could exercise the option and trade Gardner, who remains valuable at age 35, he’ll have a major say in whether a deal will happen. Gardner informed Davidoff that he has already earned 10-and-5 rights, giving him the ability to put the kibosh on any trade. As you’d expect, though, Gardner’s more focused on the present than how the offseason could unfold. “I haven’t put too much thought into next year yet,” Gardner said. “And to be honest, I really don’t plan to until after the season. That’s kind of how I always try to compartmentalize things like that.”
- Unlike Judge and Gardner, first baseman Greg Bird hasn’t contributed much to New York’s success this year. Between that and fellow first baseman Luke Voit’s tremendous production since the Yankees acquired him from the Cardinals in July, Bird may not even make the Bombers’ playoff roster, George A. King III of the New York Post observes. Many expected the oft-injured Bird to break out in 2018, but his season got off on the wrong foot – literally – when he underwent right ankle surgery in late March. The 26-year-old didn’t debut until the end of May as a result, and he has batted a disastrous .179/.284/.386 in 296 plate appearances since then.
- Voit, meanwhile, is relishing his time as a Yankee, as Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. The fiery 27-year-old has slashed .308/.372/.615 with eight home runs in just 86 plate trips with the Yankees, after spending the first few months of the season with the Cardinals’ Triple-A team. But Voit doesn’t harbor any ill feelings toward the Cardinals, as he noted that two “great” first base options – Matt Carpenter and Jose Martinez – blocked him in St. Louis. Continued Voit: “The Yankees have let me play. This is the first time in my career that I’ve gotten to play two straight weeks in a row.” Frederickson’s piece contains more quotes from Voit, for whom the playoff-contending Cardinals acquired relievers Chasen Shreve and Giovanny Gallegos. Shreve’s the only one of the two who has pitched for the Cards so far, and he has posted solid results.
We’ll see how much longer j mart is on the cards.
To be honest, with Bader able to cover so much ground in CF, J-Mart has not been a liability in RF. Still think he’s better as a DH, but his bat may make this arrangement viable.
How do the Yankees address 1B this winter, and who is traded for pitching?
Yankees trade Florial and Sheffield for Bumgarner and Smith. Done Deal.
That would certainly satisfy the Yankees, but the Giants would want way more for just Bum.
Bumgartner is only controlled through 2019, I believe? If that’s correct, I’d be surprised if Giants say no to one of the top OF and LHP prospect for one year of Bum. Don’t know about Smith so I may be wrong here.
Someone needs to teach me how to press the ‘post comment’ once lol
If you are just talking baseball i agree but Bumgarner is the face of the giants and that is a hard thing to let go just from external revenue source. between the advertising and endorsement deals for the team. Also i believe that Bumgarner has 10-5 rights so he has a say in where he wants to play.
I could be wrong but i remember him taking a lesser deal to stay with the giants and wants to retire there. could be talk but he is one of the few guys i think truly means it. Like a Chipper Jones type guy.
Roll… his first year was 2009 though he only pitched 10 innings. Not sure myself exactly when his 10/5 rights kick in.
I don’t think Bum is going anywhere but I think NY/SF are good trade partners?Possibly Belt and Gardner involved in some way,I think Posey will be at 1B a lot next year,recovering from Hip Surgery usually about a year and a half
Gardner is a FA.
Gardner has a team option.
If they choose to pick it up.
They can tender him,then trade him or pay the 2 Mil buy out then he can be a FA
the yankees are done investing in declining pitchers
Move Andujar across the diamond to make room for Manny. Simple.
With regards to 1B, ride Voit out. Dude’s hitting .328 BA (22-for-67) with seven homers in 21 games as a Yankee.
Who knows if he’s the answer, but you’re looking too far ahead. I’m enjoying the Voit ride, with the added bonus, we don’t have to suffer through Bird figuring things.
You’re spot-on with your pitching assessment. Hopefully, it’s not Clint Frazier ;-)
Remember the old days when Brett Gardner was in rumor-mill speculated to be available traded for Pitching? Why does it feel so long ago Lol.
Gardy will be a Yankee for life! I predict a reduced one-year rate to return for 2019
The Yankees are in need of a Lefty power bat in which Gardner, Frazier, and certainly Bird don’t fill. Voit is a nice story so far, but let’s be real. God I knew they’d end up regretting that Stanton trade sooner than later…
How in the world does the 1b situation cause them to regret the Stanton trade?
One..adding an impact Lefty free agent bat. Two..it’s not just the 1B situation they need to adress, and that salary holds them back quite a bit. Three..they could’ve done without that trade period…
Two-there’s no salary issues once this season is over.
Luke Voit is no longer a question, he’s the answer.
Oh cmon now. He’s been great in this small sample, but it’s far too early to suggest a 27 year old 22 round draft pick is an answer to anything after 67 at bats. I’m all for playing him out and seeing what he can offer, but he still has a lot to prove.
Didnt the yankees do that with Bird though?
Greg Bird was highly rated going into his debut season
If the Yanks sign Machado, the Giants will want Andujar included in any trade. That said I just don’t see Baumgarner getting traded.
Mostly by homers.
I don’t think it matters that he was a 22 round pick a lifetime ago but he surely will have a much harder time around once pitchers have data on him. They’ll find a hole in his swing and we’ll see how he adjusts from there. He has good minor league numbers but they don’t suggest he’s going to be an insane power hitter either. Eric Thames looked like an MVP candidate through 100 ABS last year too….anyone remember chris Shelton?
Big Red!
What would it take from the Cardinals to get DiDi?
Bird and Sanchez for Bumgarner, Change of scenery helps both, Posey has probably caught his last game. All Yankee young talent stays put. (Sheff, Frazier and Florial) Gardy goes FA after buy out, maybe resigned as bench player or insurance (ABs would kick in more $) The days of big flowery trades of prospects for fading vets is over.