Dec. 17: The Yankees have formally announced Happ’s two-year contract and a vesting option for the 2021 season.
Dec. 12: The Yankees have reportedly agreed to a two-year, $34MM deal to bring free agent southpaw J.A. Happ back to the Bronx. The contract is pending a physical; Happ is represented by Rogers Sports Management.
When completed, the contract is expected to include an option year valued at $17MM. It would vest if Happ reaches 165 innings and/or 27 starts in the 2020 campaign.
Happ has been one of the offseason’s most sought-after arms, with as many as 10 teams said to have some level of interest in the 36-year-old. Happ was known to have been weighing several two-year offers and was reportedly willing to sign with the first team that gave him a third guaranteed year.
It seems, though, that he’ll fall shy of that target — meaning he’ll also land short of the three-year, $48MM that MLBTR predicted. As we noted in that post, however, it was never fully clear whether Happ would be able to secure a promised salary through his age-38 campaign.
At the end of the day, the Yankees will pay a bit of a premium on an annual basis and surrender some control over that third year (through the vesting clause) in order to secure the services of the southpaw. Happ was for some time seen as more of a depth piece, but he has rather quietly emerged as a steady force in recent seasons.
Happ, you may recall, raised his profile greatly with a surprising late-2015 run with the Pirates. That landed him the three-year deal with the Blue Jays that he just completed. Since he last put pen to paper, Happ has pitched to a 3.44 ERA with 8.7 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 over 518 frames.
After his contract was shipped to the division-rival Yankees in the middle of the 2018 campaign, Happ obviously impressed his new employer. He turned in 63 2/3 innings of 2.69 ERA ball over 11 starts, though he was later knocked around in his lone postseason appearance. That shouldn’t (and obviously didn’t) give the Yanks pause, particularly since Happ had previously generally performed well in the playoffs.
For the Yankees, Happ becomes the third lefty rotation piece added this winter, joining James Paxton and CC Sabathia. The club tried for a fourth, Patrick Corbin, but watched him head elsewhere after deciding not to extend to bigger dollars and years than the organization felt comfortable with. In this case, the willingness to stick to his guns worked to the benefit of GM Brian Cashman, who did not have to full guarantee a third season to land a pitcher he obviously felt comfortable with.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (Twitter link) reported a deal was close, with Andy Martino of SNY.tv (Twitter link) reporting it was completed. Jon Heyman of Fancred (via Twitter) and MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (in a tweet) had details on the deal structure, with Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports (via Twitter) and Joel Sherman of the New York Post (Twitter links) covering the salary terms.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Welcome back J.A.!
Meh move.
Like this.
Me too it’s a solid move
Happy to see yanks won’t need to trade Andujar now.
Don’t think it is still out of the question.
Just when you think it’s safe…….. Just signing Happ would not prevent a deal that would knock the Yank’s socks off and the take the deal and it does include Andujar. Prob won’t happen but would not be surprised if it did.
They still don’t have an ace
Sevy looked like an ace for most f the summer. Did he run out of steam? Or did he get in his head? (I didn’t read anything about injuries.) Potential is there tho. Kid reminds me a lot of Pedro. Now, if he could only develop a change like Pedro.
Pedro never got crushed the way Severino did for half the season last year.
Boom
Sure about that? Look at Pedro’s age 24 season. Then look at Severino’s age 24 season (last season). Now, I am not saying they will have the same career. That would be almost impossible since Pedro is one of the most dominant pitchers in recent memory; but, the potential is there.
……………….Age IP ERA HR WHIP FIP ERA+ K/9
Pedro……. 24 216 3.70 ….. 19 1.195 3.27 117 9.2
Severrino 24 191 3.39 ….. 19 1.145 2.95 129 10.3
BOOM???
We’ll see. They aren’t so similar to me as Pedro is smaller and had better stuff. Severino is more of a power guy who blows you away. But different eras, too. Let’s see if Severino can obtain “ace” status in the meantime. As of now, he isn’t even the go-to guy in a big playoff game.
Boom…Not a Yankee fan but Sevy has the stuff. There’s a reason it doesn’t take much with the bat to be a valued catcher in today’s game. Sanchez and Sevy have public problems at times if I remember. Don’t know where I’m really going with that but a quality….or better backstop could help
I’d like to see Severino develop another pitch. Right now he’s more of a thrower and somewhat predictable.
Are you out of your mind? Did you see Pedro pitch? Pedro was a power pitcher, period. Maddux, Glavine, those were fineness pitchers. Pedro blew you away and it wasn’t until he developed that bugs bunny change that he became so dominant. Again, not saying Severino will develop into a Pedro. But the parallels are there as of now.
He will. Be patient. He will return w patience to pace himself.
This is overblown, if you look at catcher-to-catcher splits.
If Gary gets his hitting right, passed balls will be ignored.
Regardless, Sanchez seemed to have locked it down in the playoffs.
Who got the start in WC. The biggest of all games Severino started
Yeah, I’m not a Yanks fan either but Sevy is pretty darn good
I’m hoping they won’t, but if an offer for a top-end starter falls in their lap they still might trade Andujar and maybe move CC to the pen as a long man. If they can add a couple bullpen pieces I think it will have been a successful offseason (assuming this Happ deal gets done).
Or they can go with a 6 man rotation and keep everyone fresh,just a thought the way team are modifying the game it won’t surprise me…
very possible
Yay, hope this works out. Perhaps Cash realised they’ll have to rise up to meet player demands to get anyone. Won’t be an onerous commitment though even if he flags later on.
Have to see the total dollars, but good move Cash, Now cue the “but they signed a 36 yo pitcher to a 3 year deal” comments.
Agreed. And that’s from Yankee and non Yankee fans. Hard to please anyone on this board.
Well they did lol.
Meh, they have a three year deal to Beltran at 37, and that worked out pretty well. I don’t have an issue signing a pitcher that’s been great in the AL East the past three years. I’ll have to see the dollar amount to make my full judgement, but I like J.A. Happ and I’m glad he’s back.
It’s a solid move. I’m just concerned that he’s paying a 39 year old JA Happ what he would’ve paid Patrick Corbin age 31(granted not the exact amount, but still).
I hope so. I would have preferred Morton tho.
At least now Billy McKinney wasn’t traded in vain.
Pegged to be the lead off man for the Toronto Blue Jays!
Though he struggled in the ALDS, he has great numbers in the regular season vs. the Sox. That’s not to be discounted. Randy Johnson, similarly, had a 4+ ERA for the Yanks but won something like 9 games agains the division rivals, in seasons where those teams were neck and neck.
no one looks at the ERA…..they look at the wins and losses and who makes it to the playoffs-world series. Johnson had a 5.00 ERA his last year with the Yanks at age 42. But he was also 17-11. If you told me Happ were going 17-11 with a 5.ERA, I would take that over a pitcher with a 500 record and a below 2 era. But that’s just me. I like winners!
I doubt quite seriously that any team is looking at pitcher wins as any indication of value. Wins are a team stat. I could have won 17 games with those Yankee powerhouse teams. Pitcher wins, in 2018, are an irrelevant stat.
Wins aren’t that important and .era is becoming less important but I want the guys with a 2.50 era instead of the guy with 17 wins and a 4.5era. Think Degrom’s numbers.
ERA is certainly a rough-and-dirty measure of quality much more than wins are. Exception, of course, is relievers, because one bad outing can wreck a reliever’s ERA for a long time.
This is kind of a thought experiment, but lets say we eliminated wins, losses and saves. We kept all the other stats, including ERA and the advanced stuff. How different would we value pitchers anymore? It would be a little different but probably still align fairly well. But if we did the same twenty years ago things would look really different. Teams are getting smarter about this stuff now.
Pitcher wins? Lol
Here’s some wins from 2018
Jon Gray – 12
Sonny Gray – 11
Lucas Giolito – 10
Jacob deGrom – 10
One of these names is not like the other.
when the teams make the playoffs, it’s the teams that have the most wins. it doesn’t matter what their era is. it’s about victories. give me the 17 wins!
The teams win the games regardless of the pitcher on the mound.
so the Giants would have won the Pennant and World Series without Madison Bungarner in 2014?
Dude you’re either a troll, or just a tad unfortunate.
Either way I feel bad for you Lance.
Hope everything is alright at home.
deGrom’s surname doesn’t start with a G? Is that the point? /s
Yea DeGrom’s name doesn’t start with a G. Lol
Until the post season – then the ones on the mound mean everything.
Not to be silly – but most people do t look at wind or era anymore.
Matti: again, if you would rather have a team that doesn’t have 17 game winner, and just 500 pitchers with a good ERA, fine. I’ll take the pitchers with the W’s
Lance if you win 20 games with a mid 4 ERA that was most likely your hitters that won those games for you. Unless you had the misfortune of getting blown up to the tune of 7-8 runs 5 times a year and pitched well the other 25 times. But you know I don’t think that has ever happened.
How are you failing to see that the team gets the win regardless of which pitcher gets the W next to their name?
You need to re-evaluate some things my friend.
Assuming the deal will be in the $36-45M range; a bit steep for a back of the rotation SP, but considering that Gray/Cessa/German/Loiasiga/Lynn were all mostly terrible those spots last season, this is a solid move.
For anyone upset by whatever dollar amount this turns out to be – this is a short-term deal that will not impact NYY’s ability to sign Judge, Sevy, Torres, etc. when their time comes.
Bring on the comments about how happy everyone is to have him back but everyone hated the original trade!
The original trade? Any fan that had a problem trading Billy McKinney and Brandon Drury for a guy who went 7-0 (9-2 team record when he pitched) is not the sharpest tool in the shed.
Yeah nobody hated that trade.
I wish I could find the original thread!
But personally I feel the trade was good both ways!
oldmanmiller
mlbtraderumors.com/2018/07/blue-jays-trade-ja-happ…
Just because one or two Yankee fans posted on things they know nothing about doesn’t mean all Yank fans keep changing their minds on these threads. Yet all the Yankee haters label us all as bandwagoners who change our opinions constantly.
Lol, the original thread are nothing but yankee haters ripping the trade.
5 months later yankees sign him and same yankee hater says I wish I had the original thread with yankee fans ripping the trade.
I hated the trade, loathe the resigning
3 years!!!!!
awesome
Make up your mind broom hilda! Report this bol..B-B-Bong!!
Wow just now found this!
But I have to agree with you.
3 year deal for a 36 year old?
That’s not going to end well
Likely front loaded. That way, transition to a long man seems less painful.
That makes sense. Happy has had an ERA under 4 the last 4 years, so hopefully he can stay consistent.
Not even a Yanks fan.
Andy pettite was 40 and still pitching good, verlander is 36 and still an ace, we just need him to be a #3-4 the next few years.
Bingo!!! I knew there would be comments like this. Yanks need pitching for 2019 and Happ had a good season last year. It could go wrong but obviously the cost of acquiring Kluber, Bauer or Syndegard might have been to high OR maybe those teams just didn’t want to trade those guys to the Yanks or maybe the teams didn’t match up with what the Yanks had to offer?
I have no problem going into 2019 w/ Severino/Tanaka/Paxton/Happ/Sabathia.
Let’s focus on the bullpen, LF, SS/2B and move on.
What is funny about this whole contract is if they would have given Corbin his 6th year he would be 36 when it expired but yet they give a 36 year old a 3 year deal?
Happ isn’t going to get $23 million per, and Happ has a proven track record in the AL East. With respect to Corbin, who I did want the Yanks to sign (contract not withstanding), he’s been an NL pitcher his entire career and he had a 4.13 ERA going into this past season. Player wise I prefer Corbin, but contract considered, I can see why they opted for Happ. Who is good mind you.
If they use some of the saved money to sign Kikuchi even better.
3 years instead of 6. And more proven track record, albeit with far less upside.
Totally different
I’m glad they didn’t sign Corbin for that much.
PS. Still pissed about trading Sheffield…
Happ has AL experience and has a 2.8 fWAR or higher the last 4 seasons.
Patrick Corbin doesn’t have any AL East experience and has as many seasons of a WAR under 2 as he does as a WAR 3+.
Corbin certainly has more upside and is more likely to be better the next 3 years, but it’s no guarantee, and the Yankees if they get Happ for say 3 year/$45 million are more comfortable going 3 less years and saving $100 mil on Corbin and Happ
And Corbin may be old, but there are still many successful pitchers who are old. JV, CC, Bartolo,
Here’s a stat you may find surprising
Over the last 10 seasons, there have been 14 pitchers that have pitched from ages 36-40. The average ERA of those pitchers is approximately 3.67
I’m guessing that number because the pitchers ranked 6th, 7th and 8th (middle of the pack) have a 3.63, 3.67 and 3.70 ERA
He won’t be 39 until October of his third year. He just turned 36 after the Yankees were eliminated.
Signing Happ will give the Yanks the second best pitching on paper to the Indians at 19.0. The Indians are at 19.4. and overall 52.3 which is first ahead of the Sox 50.7. I think now Cashman looks for a rellief pitcher and a fill in at short to complete the winter. Unless he gets a good deal on Machado and puts the cherry on top.
I’m cool with this. Still need one more between now and the deadline though.
Good deal. Happ May have been a little off in the playoffs but he’s still a good pitcher with a good AL East history. Now just add to the bullpen and sign Machado and I’m content. Still wouldn’t be shocked if they tried to make a trade for another starter
I agree but I think priorities should be Bullpen > Rotation > Machado. As great as Manny would be on the team, offense wasn’t the problem last season. Have to patch up the problems first before luxury
I wouldn’t say the Yanks won’t pursue another pitcher but I think unless the price comes down (which I don’t see a reason it would) then the Yanks are probably done as far as the rotation is concerned.
If they’re indeed content with the rotation then my guess is that Andujar won’t be moved.
If Andujar ISN”T moved plus the comment Cash made that he wanted to keep Didi past 2019 then I think that makes it unlikely that they would sign Manny. They could theoretically move Andujar to a different position but I do’t think t’s as easy to transition a player to LF or 1B if they’ve never played the position. I also think, based off of comments, that Cash really likes Voit and the door is still open for Bird to work himself back into the conversation.
I’m still holding to Harper (or Markakis/Brantley) being our LF for 2019 as we still desperately need a LF power hitter. Playing 81 games in NYS and having no other LF bats other than Hicks and maybe Bird seems like a waste of a home-field advantage.
One scenario that MIGHT happen if I could indulge in wild scenarios is to stock up on the bullpen, sign Manny and trade Andujar and Betances (1 year left) and maybe stock up on some high end prospects to replenish the farm. That’s obviously unlikely but it could have some merit to it.
Are you using LF to equal lefty? Because I see left field. Pretty sure they played Stanton in left with Judge in right and have the ability to mix in Gardner, Frazier and dare I say it – ellsbury.
Yes. Sorry. Meant left-handed hitting LF.
When you look at the rotation now, who RUINS it?
Question of the DAYYYYY
the question of the day is why are you so wishy washy about the players on the team you profess your love for?
Crap or get off the pot.
Good stuff. I wanted him back but I hope the Yankees aren’t done yet when it comes to pitching.
Agreed.
Poor move. He wasnt good when it counted.
Well that’s just silly. He was huge down the stretch. He helped hold things together while Severino was having a meltdown. Thins could’ve been much more dicey had Happ not been there. This is a great deal, even if the Yanks had to overpay in years
Neither were Kershaw, Price and many other great pitchers. Do you real evaluate a pitcher off of a few innings in October?
Mike Trout in his one playoff series appearance hit .083 with a .267 OBP. Guess you wouldn’t want him because he isn’t/wasn’t good when it counted.
Major problem is cashman thinking that happ is all the yankees rotation needs. They still need a kluber/bumgarner/thor.
Could they still sign happ and trade for a Ace? Sure. But cashman doesnt sound like he thinks he needs to.
Cashman wants a Kluber type but it has to me mutual agreement. Maybe they don’t want to trade with NY. Maybe they’re asking for too much. Happ is a good fall back.
Or they can go with a 6 man rotation and keep everyone fresh,just a thought the way team are modifying the game it won’t surprise me…yes he was 7 wins without them tanks don’t make the playoffs
one year too much
Stupid Yankees.
Figures it would be a comment like this that would get 4 ups and 1 down vote. Silly people.
the comments system on this website is very strange.
Sh#@t.. well congrats Yanks. U got ur starter
Solid
The third year will probably be a vesting option, or a club option with a buyout.
Basically confirms that the three team trade is off. Didn’t look like it was gonna happen from the start but now looks like the yanks are done getting starters.
Ok, but if you’re going to give a 36 yr. Old 3 years why wouldn’t you give a better 29 yr old pitcher 6?
Go check the AAV on Corbins deal. His years 4-6 are pretty steep. Happ, while a milquetoast pitcher, is much more affordable.
Love it, solid move to help shore up the back end. Happ is by no means an ace but he makes the rotation better than it was yesterday. I don’t think this would preclude them from making a deal for another top flight starter
Yankees have checked w/ MLB and have received approval for Happ and Sabathia to use rascal scooters to and fro dugout/mound.
I believe that was part one of the contract.
lol! wascal wabbits! those wascals can still pitch, though.
Was hoping to get him back on a 2 year deal, but I guess 3 years is what it took. Happy to have him back.
Yanks cant get their nut up to trade for Kluber? Synderguard? man, their front office really doesnt care anymore. Happ is a safe choice, but not a game changer
Already shot their wad. Must. Be. Prudent.
Wouldn’t you want to know what the asking price was or even if those teams wanted to a) trade their pitcher to NY or b) wanted Andujar which I assume would be their best trade chip?
This isn’t fantasy league. It takes two teams to be on the same page. Saying Cash and the Yanks don’t care because they don’t acquire the guy YOU want them to doesn’t mean poop with out knowing the complete scenarios? Just the idea that the Yanks don’t care sounds stupid. How does acquiring Happ and Paxon = uncaring front office? There are plenty of owners with more money that tend to keep it in their pockets.
Don’t bother trying to reason with people like that. Everyone assumes the Yankees front office is a failure if they don’t have 25 All Stars on the roster.
Brewers fans lecturing on baseball now? Lol
Yay!!!! lol
A solid “eh” for this one, but the market for true front line starters is thin. As to whether it’s 2 years, three years, two with a vesting option, etc, it’s not that relevant to a team with deep pockets.
Punting on 2019!!!
Would be my first correct pick in the contest!
Too old. FIP no good. I’m not a fan.
17-6, (7-0 with Yanks), 177 IP, 3.65 ERA/3.98 FIP threw 93 mph all in the AL East.
I love when guys down vote “facts”. It’s not an opinion. Are we living in an alt-reality. Is Fox news?
yankees give a 36 year old a 3 year contract but refuse to give a 29 year old a 6th year that would have made him 36?
yep and then there is the 4.3o ERA last year that everyone is forgetting oh and this “Happ was shelled in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Boston Red Sox this year and has a 1-2 career postseason record with a 5.48 ERA and 1.875 WHIP. ”
Just what we need.
How many pitchers go six years without injury? No matter their age. With both the money he wanted and the years, AND the fact that you were paying him based on last years performance alone, the Happ deal is the better one. I would hope that wouldn’t preclude them from the trades or does anyone believe Sabathia is throwing 30 games?
NOPE, AGREED
3 years???!
Maybe they felt that 6/$140 for Corbin who’s had arm issues coming from the NL was more risky than Happ for 3 years and likely around $45 mil.
I would’ve rolled the dice on Corbin but then again, I’m no industry insider who’s viewed his medicals, or even have an inkling into his personality with regards to being able to transition to NY.
Right!?
Happy will be thier 5th starter next year. Will probably make 12-15 million only and the Yanks know he can pitch in the AL.
I still think they can swing a deal for another starter. Move Sabathia to the bullpen.
Adam, my sentiments exactly
Move you out to pasture
Report to the review board at 0-dark-30…Bingo Bongo!!!
Five days behind.
They ain’t moving CC to the pen. He was signed to start as a farewell gesture. Hes our 4. Happ is 5. If anyone moves, its happ
If they can manage to swing a deal for a better pitcher, they won’t let a farewell gesture stand in the way if the best move is CC to the bullpen.
Use 6 starters keep them fresh
It’s obviously easier to predict what Happ, who has had success in the AL East and in NY, will be in his 3rd year than what Corbin will be in his 5th and 6th years.
Wonder if The Athletic (subscription required) offers a discount for shoddy reporting?
The defense is usually: My sources told me incorrect information.
These guys will never get in trouble because a) we don’t know who their source is, and b) there’s always a “source” to blame it on.
Awful reporting. Sad!
The Red Sox called and thank you for this signing Cashman. So much for smartest GM…
Career vs Red Sox he is 8-4, 2.98 ERA. You are welcome.
How was that clutch performance in the playoffs when it counted? 5 runs in 2 innings..
Yes, one single game determines if a pitcher is good or not.
It was the Sox year no doubt….but oh what a years difference can make…..check in with us at this time next year and let’s see where the Sox are when players opt out.
Sox management is already checking in to see how they can reduce payroll….so con’t be so smug….yes buddy…..owners do think about saving money even John Henry….how do you think he got so rich?
So Eovaldi for 4/$68 mil with his injury history with the backdrop of them “allegedly” looking to move Porcello, X-man or Bradley Jr looks like a smarter move to you?
Be objective, which player comes with a higher inherent risk? Eovaldi and his 4/$68 or Happ for 3 and something around $15 mil?
They both have had injuries that have prevented them from throwing 200 IP but Happ has had a good body of work in the AL East since 2015
689 IP-3.49 ERA/3.79 FIP
vs Eovaldi’s 378 IP-4.35/3.99
And let’s keep in mind the difference between ERA/FIP. ERA is the result. FIP is “what it should’ve been”. That’s fine when you use FIP over the course of a season because luck might be involved. Over the course of close to 700 IP luck isn’t as much of a factor and you have to believe that the result were “truer”.
Too many Sox fans with blinders on commenting here southbeachbully…..never will they be objective…..everything the Sox do walks on water to them.
Don’t waste your time with trying to be objective or giving an alternative opinion.
Stop using facts
Sigh….ok (hangs head down disappointingly).
Eovaldi all day long..
Dammit, about to go 1/8. Had him going to Washington, but heck guess that’s not gonna happen now anyway with the Corbin signing.
Possible reprieve from the Governor..
This is a good move. They had their eyes on a Kluber/Syndegaard type trade, but they couldn’t risk waiting too long and watching guys like Happ fall off the board. Just like Gardner doesn’t preclude a Harper signing, Happ doesn’t stand in the way of a trade for an ace.
Though I’ll admit it’s looking less likely at this point, do you really think if a GM came to Cashman and offered up his ace in a fair deal he’d say “sorry, we just signed J.A. Happ”?
Not a terrible move, but it’s not going to push us over the top when you compare to Houston and Boston.
If they don’t add an ace, it’s going to take some very good fortune. Another year hoping Tanaka’s elbow hold up, CC’s knee, Paxton’s back and Sevy’s head.
Our pitching staff lives at a geriatric clinic when they aren’t playing baseball.
Don’t kill me for saying this, but I think the ‘Stros are the team to beat. I know, Boston won the WS, 108, but I think they also had a lot of players playing over their heads last year. Seems everything that could go right for them did. But, I expect a bit of a regression this year. That said, watch them go out and win 110 this year and win it again…
I agree. The Astros are deep. I also agree that Boston overachieved a bit. They have no bullpen right now, so we will see how that goes. I also think the Yankees overachieved a bit and I am a big fan. How we got that far with that rotation is a miracle. Lucky we had that Pen and those bats.
The Astros are significantly less deep this year. McCullers is having TJ and they’ll likely lose Keuchel and Morton. They’re pretty unproven outside of Cole and Verlander in the rotation. Mchugh will go back in but I’d feel a lot better about Houston if they went out and got a Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer.
How are they deep? 2 of their 5 starters are FA in Keuchel and Morton and Lance McCullers had TJ surgery and will miss most of 2019. That’s 86 starts they need to replace!!! How is that “deep” let alone what concerns you expressed about their bullpen.
The Astros can still compete and likely win the AL West simply because the A’s might be their only competition but as of Dec 12 they have a LOT of heavy lifting to do to field a team of the caliber they had in 2018.
With the 3 guys mentioned and the fact that Verlander and Cole will both be FA after 2019 the window for the Astros might be closing rapidly,
I’m amazed that the Astros haven’t been connected to the Indians or Mets. They have the prospects and even some mlb pieces they can afford to move.
I’m not concerned about their pen. They left guys off their playoff roster that teams would love to have. Peacoc k (MLBTR Seems to not like that name) was great for them in 17 Playoffs and he didn’t even crack the roster. Mchugh is a more than capable starter and James is a good young arm but they really need one more top guy to slot in there. IE. Kluber, Bauer, syndergaard. They do that and stay healthy I’d like them in the AL as well.
Wish I saw your comment before I posted mine, Spot on.
On paper….of the 3 teams to win 100 games I would say that as of Dec 12 the Astros seem the furthest away from wining 100 games next year.
OBVIOUSLY the Stros will do something to replace those 3 mentioned and the fact that the M’s, Rangers and Angels have done nothing to warrant faith in them being competitive will benefit the Astros chances of repeating. But they need a lot more work.
I wonder if they would go after Greinke?
Astros lose kuechel, McCullers and Morton.
Yankees add Paxton.
That somehow equates to Houston being better.
I’m not sure how, but it does here.
Think how much better Houston will be next offseason when they lose Cole.
Didn’t realize they lost or are going to loose all these pitchers. You must be on mlbtraderumorsofthefuture.com
I think the word you are looking for is could or maybe even hypothetically.
I’d even go with likely, but it hasn’t happened yet.
You just made no argument. You just said they’ll likely lose all 3. McCullers is injured so there’s a guaranteed one. Morton May return but after not offering a QO that seems highly unlikely. “Lose” is the correct word. They won’t “loose” anything.
As for Boog up there, the Yankees added Paxton, sure. But at this point they’ve lost Britton and Robertson without replacing them. The offseason isn’t over so it’s too early to judge teams moves. Lots of pieces will shift between now and April. However, it’s pretty clear the Astros lost 2, likely 3 starters. They’ve got to make a move to fix that.
Well McCullers is gone for next year.
Let’s just say by some miracle they resign keuchel and morton.
How does the yankees adding paxton and the Astros losing just McCullers make the astros more improved?
Lol
Fiscal cracks in the wall already showing up in Beantown….the 2019 and certainly the 2020 team will be very different than the 2018 version.
Will they be as successful?????only time will tell!
Let’s remember though that Boston had one of the all time greatest seasons for any team in 2018, one they are unlikely to repeat. They’ll be right there at the top of the division, and the team to beat for sure, but I don’t foresee them running away with it again.
The Yankees are in better shape today than they were at this point last offseason, and there’s still a lot of time left to add pieces to improve the club.
Definitely in better shape. Can’t argue with that. I just hope they sure up the pen. We need it. Stanton will likely do better and so will the Crakcen.
Not only better shape. But going into 2018 playoffs the Yankees had:
Severino/Tanaka/Happ/Sabathia to rely on.
Even if they don’t make ANY OTHER MOVES– swapping out CC for Paxton is a HUGE upgrade in a playoff series, as is CC replacing Lynn in long relief.
And it’s very likely another starter will be added between now and next October.
Tanaka- 30 (2 years deal)
Severino-25 (4 years of control)
Paxton – 30 (2 years of control)
Happ- 36 (3 year deal)
Sabathia – 38 (1 year deal)
Yes….ancient.
We won 100 games with Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn and a bunch of rookies pitching 52 games for a 35-27 record and a lot of those games were ones where we had to score 6-7 runs and bring in our bullpen by the 4th/5th inning in order to win.
Yeezus. Some fans are never satisfied.
The goal is winning the WS. They did not, so there isn’t 100% satisfaction in my book, most fans and even ownership/management.
You play to win the game!
Of course you play to win but the GM isn’t pitching or hitting. I don’t know if GM can really go about acquiring “clutch” pitchers or hitters who want “freeze up” when you need a hit.. Any team that is capable of winning 100 games over a grueling 162 game season is capable of winning a world series.
Players have to do their part.
An exact 3/36 like Happ signed with Toronto three years ago seems fair, or around there. Or how about an opt out after two years, if he desires it. Get er done, Cash.
I’m good with resigning Happ. He’s a solid mid rotation, innings eating arm that has a proven track record in the AL East. Consider what that last part means if you’re a Yankees fan (see Gray, Sonny). Lots of more talented arms have come into NY and soiled themselves on the mound. NY is a different animal to play in, and some guys simply can’t hack it. It’s impossible to know who can or can’t too. AJ Burnett, Gray, Kenny Rodgers, Vazquez, etc. to name a few, are all talented guys who couldn’t cut it in NY. Happ may not be as talented as those guys, but he’s pretty darn good, and proven himself to be capable in the AL East for the Yankees. That’s extremely important imo. There’s no knowing that Patrick Corbin could a) replicate his career year last year, and b) pitch well in NY in the AL East.
My only concern here is years. I hope they didn’t go 3, and if they did it’s an option of some sort. The Yanks have the money to spend. I won’t cry if they overpay someone. What I as a fan want to avoid, is restricting roster flexibility 2 years from now. It’s not just the down years that hurt you, it’s what owing that guaranteed money does to a teams roster building & mindset does over those crap years. The Jays simply dumped Tulo to avoid having to have that issue moving forward. The do we wait on him, tie up a roster spot for him, not pick up player X or trade for player Y cuz we have Tulo under contract, etc.
Not happy
Not a horrible deal. Happ is not overpowering. Reminds me of Wells in that sense and he pitched forever.
One less MadBum suitor.
If this deal goes down anyone not happy with it is either a Yankee heater or does not know what they are talking about. It is a known fact one of the hardest ball parks to pitch in due to the dimensions is Yankee Stadium and last season at Yankee Stadium he posted a 1.80 earned run average. If he signs definitely happy with this.
So, if someone questions the wisdom of giving a three year deal to age 36 year old pitcher, that means they’re either a Yankee hater or stupid? Ya…OK pal.
I always think of Happ as a finesse guy, but looking at his overall numbers last season – 178 IP, 150 hits, 193 Ks – profile more like a power pitcher.. He seems like a guy who, because he doesn’t rely on pure velocity, can do this for a few more years. Rotation depth is never a bad thing.
Yankees couldn’t get anyone better then Happ cmon they could of gone with Charlie Morton, Trevor Bauer, Marcus Stroman, Noah Syndergaard and Corey Kluber all Which are better then Happ I don’t like Kluber tho he has a track record of failing on the postseason
How do you know this? Do you know what thier temas were asking the Yanks for. Remember last year the pirates wanted more from the Yanks for Cole than what they got from the Astros
@bj82
Wish I saw your comment before I posted mine, Spot on.
On paper….of the 3 teams to win 100 games I would say that as of Dec 12 the Astros seem the furthest away from wining 100 games next year.
OBVIOUSLY the Stros will do something to replace those 3 mentioned and the fact that the M’s, Rangers and Angels have done nothing to warrant faith in them being competitive will benefit the Astros chances of repeating. But they need a lot more work.
I wonder if they would go after Greinke?
Exactly.
Kluber and Miller carried the injury riddled Indians pitching staff in 2016 to the 7th game of the World Series. Please look at the whole picture.
He’ll be great batting practice for the Red Sox ! They have no clue what they are doing! Signing a thirty six year old to three years!!
2016-2018
11 starts-5-1 record-64 IP-ERA in the low 2’s
nuff said.
Happ was shelled in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Boston Red Sox this year and has a 1-2 career postseason record with a 5.48 ERA and 1.875 WHIP.
waste of money- like CC and gardy. but of course you are fine with it. 30 mil for what exactly? wait its another wild card game followed by a hardship loss to either Boston or Houston….
There’s no arguing with this guy dude. The Yankees could’ve signed a one arm player and this guy would make excuses, but he’ll be the first one hollering when they finish in third.
May I remind you that Boston has a historical season in general? Their best players had extremely good season. Ybaks won 100 games with no Sanchez, I jured Judge, a down year from Stanton, Gray being bad, and no Mongamery. The guy lost that one game after pitching good against them, and you are taking that one start to make an argument not to sign him
Sox wona world series without Sale. What’s your point?
Without Sale? He pitched in 27 games (5 less than the previous two years) pretty sure that is not “without” and then averaged 3 innings over 5 games in the post season with a 4.11 ERA.
Slevin…he probably did cry when the Yanks signed Jim Abbott.
Ummmm….I used something you need to be more familiar with. It’s called a fact. He alluded that Happ would get shelled by the Sox when most people know that aside from 1 game in the playoffs he;s dominated he Sox this year and overall the last 3 years.
It’s soooooo funny how you predict the Yanks will lose to the Astros who as of now need to replace McCullers and Morton and perhaps Keuchel too. One thing I am not is a homer. Why? Because I try and back everything I say up with….wait for it…..facts.
Other than his age, please tell me Happ will fail. And age really may not be an issue for Happ as he’s not dependent on velocity.
Furthermore, let me show you how stupid it is to judge a pitcher on such small sample sizes.
Sale’s career post-season record- 25 IP with a 5.76 ERA including getting torched in 2017 vs Houston,
Price’s career post-season record- 99 IP with a 4.76 ERA.
Eovaldi- 1.61 ERA in the 2018 post-season and getting 4/$68
Now Price and Sale may have gotten some levels of vindication but the important part is that based off of YOUR valuation they suck because they struggled during the post-season.
Now I will wait and see what Eovaldi does, but regardless, I don’t think it was smart to fork over that amount for what he did over a 2 week span.
Feel free to come at me but be warned….if you don’t use facts I freakin’ beat you over the head with your own stupidity. Read my posts. I don’t post illogical dribble like “he’s a red sox…he sucks”.
This is the guy with the multiple accounts, so who knows. Just another homer.
I have two accounts. Information that I happily volunteered. One was my original one the other I created because I used it for HoopsRumor but sometimes commented here via my ipad. I have no reason to hide behind a handle. That’s childish. Most of my post are pretty similar. You might not like my opinion but it’s usually well thought out and based on facts and logic.
SouthBeachBully
KnicksCavsFan
No actually I was quite happy. He had a 2.77 ERA in over 200 IP the previous year and right around that time I was making a KILLING selling his 1988 Topps rookie cards.
Your name is as confusing as your posts btw.
Being a homer isn’t the same as being passionate. I shouldn’t have to defend myself tho. My posts are usually backed up with something worthwhile.
Without Happ last year they play in Oakland and not NY for the wild card game. He gets them the division championship this year. Sevy, Paxton, Tanaka, You only need 3 in the playoffs.
Since there has been some chat about the commenting on this site, has anyone read or gotten an explanation as to why MLB removed the ability to comment on any of their threads? I contacted Todd Zolecki from MLB, and he said he didn’t know but would get back to me. I contacted the Phillies, and they also said they’d get back to me. CRICKETS !!!!!!!
Moderation, most likely.
The major sites are all moving away from commenting on articles because it’s impossible to moderate. Plus, if there’s contention about a comment, especially if there are threats made or if police have to get involved, that’s time and resources wasted on a comment board.
There’s probably other reasons, but that’s a major one.
Thanks..Ive been commenting on MLB for years..made many many friends from all over baseball…while I have been reading MLBTR, I never commented until last week when I set up my account…when things happen in the game and especially to your team, you want to converse with others that have a similar interest..maybe I’ll find its here…
If you can ignore the trolls, this can be a great spot.
Lately, the inmates have taken over the prison, but it’ll either boil over or the site folks will do something to take control… but there’s plenty of folks willing to engage in good baseball discourse.
I see that happens here..the constant attacks on a particular poster..waste of time and effort..
Probably for good reasons – these kinds of giant sites – ESPN comes immediately to mind – can’t regulate stuff that is horrifyingly racist or threatening or homophobic and it’s easier to eliminate that feature completely, rather than hiring a team of people to monitor the comments.
TY
The quest for 0 for 50 remains alive.
Hopefully Jordan Montgomery makes a strong comeback this year. Then the fall would look more promising. Still want to see Harper in between Judge and Stanton. Numbers would be massive with that protection. Send Sanchez and Frazier to Marlins for Realmuto . What a lineup!
Didn’t give Corbin 6 years because he’d be 36 by the end of his contract, but gave Happ 3 years who will be 39 by the end of his contract. They should just admit it’s about money and not about age.
It’s about commitment, and Cashman has been quite forthright about that. Three years is still three less years of financial commitment than six, regardless of age. It is inherently a less risky proposition.
I absolutely agree it’s about the commitment. It shouldn’t be that difficult to understand, but apparently it is.
I am perplexed by how Cash functions. over 30 mil doled out to CC, Gardy, and Happ. the gap between the yanks and sox/stros despite this outlay remains a number 1 stud SP. there are articles out there about how the farm is depleted reducing the trade route,
whats the plan?
My guess is once again he will attempt to back-fill the pen to compensate for the deficiency. (As we all know its important for the yanks to stay in striking position when they are down 3 runs in the 3rd), the next move will be to find retreads to back fill for the position players. neil walker? chris carter? eric young……
there is your off season my friends.
barring a number 1 SP walking in i will wager you all that we win 95 plus games, get at least the wild card and lose to Boston or Houston…..
This
…….is stupid. There. I finished the sentence for you,
Not sure why people think signing Gardner to be the 4th of for 1/$8 mil or CC and his sub 4 era to be the 5th starter for 1/$10 will prevent them from signing or trading for anyone else. Yanks won 100 games with about 25% of our starts coming from Gray, German, Loisaga, Montgomery (injured), Cesa, Adams and Lynn. Happ pitched extremely well for us, Replacing 25-60 starts (hopefully) with Happ and Paxton should be a net gain. And to reference Walker and Chris Carter is just stupidity. I wish I could choke you out. I know that’s not the Christian thing to say but I’m hoping God is a Yankees fan and would forgive me.
I like how you did that!
I’m pretty sure that if the price was reasonable they would acquire a #1 SP. We don’t even know what the Indians are asking for. We don’t even know if their preference is to trade him to the NL or if has part of the deal the Yanks need to take on Encarnación’s contract.
Sad but true, without another front line stud the Yankees are not a championship team.
In the past year we got Stanton an MVP and Paxton a high end lefty. We’re making moves and not standing pat. Having said that, I just didn’t want Happ. I recognize he had enormous regular season success with us and generally pitches well against Boston, but I never want to be the team that gets a guy one year too late. Ask LA about Rich Hill. Happ has shown a dip in fastball velocity and a reduction in groundballs with an increase in home runs. This was the type of guy where I loved the value we got last year but thought whoever spent money on him was a sucker.
I still believe we need to replace but need to replace to improve. I’m on board to trade Andujar /florial for a Kluber type and being aggressive on Machado. But I’m not cash.
I would prefer a Kluber or Bauer trade using Andujar and other MiL’ers to get er done and of course Manny at the hot corner, but I’m not Cash either.
Rich Hill has been great for the dodgers and the fans love him too. Hell if Roberts didn’t pull him too early in both WS, the endings may have been different.
Happ’s velocity over the last 4 years: 92.8, 92.8. 92.9 and 92.7.
Happ’s GB rate over the last 4 years: 41.6%, 42.5%, 46.9% and 40.1%.
The dip in GB rate is because he started throwing more FB up in he strike zone which led to more weak contact (ranked 11th in soft contact%) and 2nd lowest in LD%).
Can he fall off a cliff next year? of course. But his numbers don’t suggest he will. He’s become more of a pitcher and less of a thrower.
We can hypothesize trade scenarios but how do we even know that the Indians or Mets want Andujar or Florial? How do we know that there aren’t other teams that fit what the Indians or Mets want?
I’m not DEFENDING anything. I do feel like we lack context and insider information to say Cash is doing this or that poorly. What I do know is that we’re going into 2019 with a rotation better than what we had in 2019 and there’s still time to improve.
Now with the Astros needing to replace 2 and maybe even 3 of their starters, how are they better than the Yanks as of today? How are he Sox better today when they might be without Joe Kelly and Kimbrel and are allegedly shopping key members of their 2018 team?
There are a lot of “ifs” but
…If Voit can be more productive than Bird/Walker were last year.
…if Sanchez can return back to his 2016/2017 form.
…..if Stanton comes back more settled and comfortable and has a 45-50 hr season.
…if Judge can stay healthy and have a 40 hr season
…if the Yanks can rebuild their bullpen.
…if they can find, at minimum, a solid glove replacement for Didi.
And the big if,,,,,they sign one of Harper/Markakis/Branley (lefthanded hitters) or maybe even Manny (who i’d rather pass for Harper),
Then the Yanks should be a safe bet to win enough games for AL East title or 1st wild card spot.
SBB, I very much enjoyed your reasoned, evidence-based approach here. Quite a breath of fresh air.
Who in their right mind on here DONT think the Yanks will finish near or at the top of the AL East in 2019?
If the Sox had the injuries the Yanks had in 2018 and the Yanks had not lost Judge, it could have very well been the other way around in the final standings.
You need arms to get through the season. I’m okay with Happ being a back end of the rotation starter. We’re not asking him to be an ace
wow
I hated the trade, loathe the resigning
Are Paxton and Happ those elite pitchers that Cashman promised???
They won 100 games and those 2 are upgrades to the rotation. Sanchez sucked, judge was injured and Stanton had a down year. On the other hand, Boston has a historical season. You think all this will happen again in 2019?
But do you think Paxton and Happ are those elite pitchers Cashman promised?
Paxton has incredible stuff. If he’s healthy then there’s almost nothing that can stop him. Happ is a rock solid #3 or #4. There could still be other moves out there, the offseason is far from over. The three-way deal could still happen if BVW still desperately wants Realmuto, which means the Yankees would nab Syndergaard or Wheeler. I think there are still a few moves in Cashman’s head that we don’t see coming
I think there are too many moves in your head that will never happen.
Show me any elite SP available as FA.
Look…we can want but if the Mets and Indians aren’t willing to trade with us or have better packages offered, what exactly do you want Cash to do? If you can’t get a Kluber, Syndegard, etc then you try and get the best you can from what the market offers.
Yankee fans are the only fans that will complain about bringing in 2 guys that overall were statistically in the top 30 in WAR, top 40 in ERA/FIP and K/9 (top 20) in all of baseball. Considering there are 30 teams that means that at minimum, they provided #2 or #3 quality pitching.
Aww Brandon, are you hurt that Cashman broke his promise to you? Don’t be so fragile!
+southbeach
But do you think Paxton and Happ are the elite pitchers that Cashman promised?
It is a very simple yes/no and its pretty concerning that multiple people have brought up multiple counter arguments that dont exactly address the question being asked.
Let me give you an example answer (summary of PinstripedPrides comment): Paxton may be one of them, but Happ is not.
Bringing in TWO elite starters was never realistic. They got Paxton, and while I’d love to have gotten Kluber or Syndegaard, blaming Cashman is like being mad that some girl you like doesn’t love you.
Because he can’t control what other teams want. What if Cleveland’s price was Gleyber Torres? They dangled Andujar already, just remains to be seen if someone bites.
Since a visit to The Pitcher Whisperer in Pittsburgh back in ’15, in 99 of his starts, Happ’s team’s W-L record is 64-35. That includes the 9-2 “job he was hired to do” last season for the Yanks.
Not elite?
It’s certainly not far from it!
Cash, just sign Kikuchi ffs.
My mind is going wild with all the possibilities
We get it….
What, are you complaining that an update to the article bumped it up to the top of the feed?
Cashman showing why he’s the Ninja by getting Happ without guaranteeing a third year
Not showing much at all
Not as easily impressed as PinStripedPride. Haap was not expected to get a 3 year deal. No ons offered a 3 year deal so why is Cashman a ninja? Cashman offered the most guaranteed money and got his guy. Big deal
You don’t know if it was the MOST money. It likely was but probably not by much.
This says it all….
pinstripealley.com/2018/12/12/18137680/yankees-j-a…
How many pitchers are out there that would really make the kind of impact you’re looking for? 6, maybe 7? Now how many of them are available? So far, only Kluber and Syndegaard. But the Yanks do not match up with the Indians or Mets.
They’ve done the once-unthinkable, dangling Miguel Andujar, but nobody is bitings so far. They acquired one-time ace James Paxton (who fans were drooling over until he was actually acquired)– and yet somehow fans think the Yankees are just conceding the division.
Not sure what you expect.
“He’s just another Sonny Gray,”
Why are people upset with this move? Happ is a solid moddle of the rotation lefty who is durable, and a proven performer in the AL East. I get that he is older, but he just turned 36 a couple of weeks ago and will pitch his age 36 and 37 seasons in the Bronx. There wasnt an elite FA arm on the market this year (Corbin is not a proven ace) and to trade for one requires another team to agree. Next year Chris Sale is a FA and as currently built the Yanks should have the $$ and roster flexibility to go after him. This was a good, solid move. We all want a stud, but a mid 3 era starter is a nice plan B.
Make the Giants an offer they can’t refuse for Bumgarner at the trade deadline next year.
Sure and as soon as he’s acquired Yankee fans will say “should have gotten Kluber! Cashman just handing the trophy to Boston!”
Meanwhile Bumgarner isn’t without his own injury concerns, having not pitched a full season since 2016.
What is up with all this?? If you don’t have a couple of stud SP’s you don’t win championships. All this other stuff just puts you back to where you were last year.
I guess they feel the rest of baseball will acquiesce to whatever Cashman wants just ’cause. Smh. It’s not a fantasy league. He’s not operating in a bubble.
If you ask, who’s elite anyways you get about 20 guys (top 20 in WAR or FIP),
11 of them were on playoff teams from 2018. 4 of them are on teams pressing to make the playoffs next year (Nationals, Phillies, Cardinals and I’m assuming the Mets). 1 is untouchable (Snell). 1 doesn’t want any part of NY (Greinke). 1 is off the table (Corbin) and 2 are “iffy” (Williams and Taillon with the Pirates).
The best of the rest were Happ, Keuchel and Morton and they have varying degrees of some concern. At least with Happ he’s had a recent body of work in the AL East and with NY specifically.
Who’s older sabathia or happ
Cc
Cc, but not by much
Finally, I won’t be shut out on the Free agent contest.
This just in!!!! Yankee fans LOVE Happ!!!
False. Its split. Some love him, others feel he robbed the Yankees blind. He’s not good. Void the contract
I believe Happ was a great signing.
Fangraphs Steamer projects JA Happ to have the 18th best WAR at 3.3 in baseball. By comparison, Patrick Corbin is projected to have the 17th best at 3.5. Also over the past three years Happ has had a better average ERA and a slightly lower FIP then Corbin (Corbin has improved the past three years while Happ has stayed around the same). Keep in mind Corbin pitches in the NL West while Happ pitches in the AL East. Obviously, Happ should regress faster than Corbin since he is older.
I do not believe the upgrade in Corbin would have been worth 3-4 years and 6m a year that it would have cost the Yankees. They are better off allocating the money elsewhere.
how do you think the stros and sox feel about this?
how would the stros and sox feel if we had a legit number 1 like Thor?
another stupid move to secure the WC and pray beyond it……
You make it sound as if they chose to pass up on Syndegaard to sign Happ. Cashman made Andujar available in that deal, but it didn’t get done. He did what he could but the two other teams involved could not come to an agreement.
how is it that Boston, Houston, the cubs and dodgers can get it done but the great cash cant?
look-i don’t really care about the lame excuses and i can easily tell you that he lost his ammo to do it by trading away half the farm for crap. The yankees need one more thing to get over the hump and that is a solid #1 starter. GO GET IT and stop with the signing of non difference makers like gardy CC and happ
all these other moves he makes are irrelevant.
I didn’t realize the Astros and Red Sox had traded for Syndegaard.
stupid response, which just how little you know
Your very comments illustrate your own stupidity and ignorance of the game. Enjoy!
Am I last?
Last in the brains dept.
Next up MANNY MACHADO! Welcome to the Bronx! Then David Robertson or Ottavino
Yeah, looks like the Yankees made up their mind to sign lefties, all along. Boston hit a full 100 OPS points less against lefty pitching, this year…
And, if they prioritize matching up against Boston hitters, It also means that they don’t really care about balancing the hitting lineup, and they’ll just go after Machado, to match up well against the RS pitching staff.
I just hope they’ll still keep an eye out for the opportunity to add a big arm. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if CC didn’t make the rotation. He could still play a role, as a spot starter and long man.
Happy to c Happ back. Cheaper option then Corbin even tho that’s who I wanted the most. Nice consolation middle of the rotation arm. Once CC hangs em up Happ can b the 5th starter and mentor his last year in the Bronx
This is no way a consolation prize. Look at Corbins numbers with the exception of the season he had over the past few years a 4.0 6 ER a and a 5.20. Pap is way better than that.
Always like J.A. Haap..always thought he got robbed of the ROY…Good guy…good luck again in NY.