The latest on a few American League clubs…
- The Astros’ regular season will begin on the road from April 1-6, and recently signed right-hander Jake Odorizzi told reporters (including Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle) that it’s “reasonable to expect” he won’t be available during that stretch. However, Odorizzi could make his debut with the team sometime in its April 8-14 homestand. Odorizzi inked a two-year, $23.5MM guarantee with the Astros, but he’s a bit behind schedule after sitting on the free-agent market until earlier this month.
- First baseman Mike Ford and infielder Thairo Estrada were among the players the Yankees optioned Friday. The Ford move could be good news for first baseman/outfielder Jay Bruce, a minor league signing who looks more and more likely to earn a season-opening roster spot. Ford’s career began auspiciously in 2019, during which he showed off serious power while limiting strikeouts, but he stumbled to a horrendous .135/.226/.270 line with just two home runs in 84 plate appearances last year. Estrada, who also debuted in 2019, has spent time in both the infield and outfield. He batted a weak .167/.231/.229 over 52 PA in 2020.
- The Twins optioned southpaw Devin Smeltzer and righty Shaun Anderson, ruling them out for the Opening Day roster, Phil Miller of the Star Tribune relays. Both pitchers had been competing to earn spots in Minnesota’s staff. Smeltzer made 18 appearances (seven starts) with the Twins from 2019-20 and registered a 4.57 ERA with a below-average strikeout rate (19.3 percent) and an above-average walk rate (6.2 percent) in 65 innings. Anderson, whom the Twins acquired in a trade with the Giants during the offseason, could only muster a 5.17 ERA/5.26 SIERA over 111 1/3 frames in the previous two years.
- Righty Garrett Whitlock has emerged as a lock to make the Red Sox bullpen, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Whitlock – whom the Red Sox took from the Yankees in last December’s Rule 5 Draft – has starred so far this spring, having allowed one earned run while striking out 12 over nine innings. The 24-year-old has also put up stellar numbers in the minors, where he owns a 2.41 ERA in 205 1/3 innings, but hasn’t pitched professionally since he underwent Tommy John surgery in July 2019. FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen ranked Whitley as Boston’s No. 30 prospect in January.
Face it Yankee fans…..
As much as you want it to be so, Mike Ford will never be another Greg Bird.
Mike Ford does not get Rave Reviews.
Yankees got a young OF from the DR that hasn’t played one pitch of American baseball.
Their fans are already making plans to meet at Cooperstown for his induction into the HOF in 2044 after being voted in unanimously.
Who?
Well, Samuel, no. Ford went undrafted by every MLB team. It’s pretty rare a player like that makes the majors, so it was a good thing to see a non-prospect make it to the bigs and even have a hot end to 2019, Nice baseball underdog story fans of all teams should appreciate.
The other Yankee you seem to be obsessed now with, Jasson Dominguez, is being praised by the scouting community, so obviously fans will pick up on that. I haven’t seen any Yankee fans making plans to meet at Cooperstown, but you are entitled to that misguided thought.
Please feel free to send your payment to Yankee Stadium, 1 E 161st Street, Bronx, NY, 10451, Attn: Randy Levine. It’s come to Randy’s attention that the Yankees have been living rent free in your head for quite some time, so he’d appreciate payment.
Let me know if I can help you with anything else.
All of them.
Samuel, how is this any different then the numerous players every fan lauds on his respective team, whether prospect or, say, Tatis Jr, with less than a year?
“The other Yankee you seem to be obsessed now….”
Obsessed?
LOL
Rob that’s a very civilized and measured response. Hat tip to you as I would have said something brief and pithy I think it rhymes with cupid duck.
Samuel, sadly, yes.
Acceptance is the first step in recovery.
@ RobM;
Up against the luxury tax and you’ve got one starter. I’m still trying to find the can’t miss dominant young pitchers from 5-6 years ago. Adams or something and others.
Team is collapsing worse then the City.
Mid-60’s to early-70’s time all over again. Horace Clarke / Roy White types will be the stars.
Sure, the Rays are just quivering in their shoes. The Orioles will be a legit WS contender before the Yankees will. No kidding. It’s like Microsoft trying to explain to IBM that the glory days of pushing people around are over.
Sorry, Jeter is in Miami.
Samuel, keep it up. You reinforce my point with every pointless post!
And this year Gary Sanchez is working really really like you know super really hard on defense and calling a game.
Don’t you get tired of hearing that every Spring Training?
It’s like listening to a 33 rpm record with the needle stuck.
Frazier is your young player with the most upside?
Gleyber is playing SS for a major league team?
–
Old saying:
“When some see the handwriting on the wall…..they think it’s a forgery”.
@Samuel:
Wait! You almost got me! Mets22, you cute little buggar! Is that you disguised as “Samuel”?! I knew it! Just the crazy talk that gave it away….. other than that, completely undetectable
Yankee Clipper….Mets22 seems like such a blatantly myopic homer that makes me laugh (not with him though). Samuel combines excessive cynicism with tangential analogies.
Both of those users’ comments are typically dumbfounding to the point where I have to shake my head and chuckle….maybe they are somehow related.
RobM – you really are an arrogant a$$
Forget last year. If Ford produces like in 19. He’ll be back up. Same goes for most others. I remember Tony C made the Sox roster in I think 75. One month or so later he was cut. Bruce is a pro but if he starts out slow, he could be gone if the team has good options ready to take his place.
@Samuel- lol, that sounds good to me. Where is Greg Bird playing these days? Ford’s probably better off getting traded somewhere where he could play more regularly anyway. He hits lefties really well. I don’t see him getting the at bats with the Yankees.
*yawn*
I remember when this site had interesting trolls instead of boring paint-by-numbers types.
I just hope Greg Bird can be another Greg Bird.
@Frankee- now that just may be too much to ask for.
cutting Whitlock would ve foolish with his pedigree and how well he’s done. given the other options it would be a waste to get rid of him.
Whitlock is going to be on the Red Sox roster the entire year. The only way he isn’t is if he gets injured and then it’s a freebie anyway. The bottom line Whitlock is now a Red Sox one way or another. He has looked very good in spring training mid 90’s fastball and wicked slider he looks legit.
It seems like he could be an effective middle reliever/swing man for the Sox.
I don’t believe there’s any reason they’d cut him. He’s actually an interesting prospect. The Yankees have a fairly deep system with these type of arms, which is why they get a lot of players picked in the Rule 5. I think Whitlock is one of the better ones with a chance to stick. Considering the state of the Red Sox rotation and pen, he’d have to have a pretty big collapse for the Red Sox to return him. I’m not saying he’s going to be a star, but he can certainly provide value. If he needs some additional finishing, the Red Sox can send him to AAA in 2022.
honestly woudlnt be shocked if he was starting by the end of the year a la Brad Keller as a rookie.
It’s a good move & what I anticipated all along, keep Tauchman & Bruce & option Ford.
There’s only one open roster spot on the bench as near as I can tell. Ford wasn’t going to beat out Bruce or Dietrich or Tauchman. I’d like to send Wade back to AAA, but they have to carry him. That’s why there’s really only one bench spot up for grabs.
The 33-year-old version of Jay Bruce is gonna make the opening day roster for the New York Yankees. Let that sink in for a moment. Jay Bruce had a batting average of .198 last year. I know. I know. It was the 60-game pandemic year. Hmmmm ….. Bruce hit .216 in 2019 after hitting .223 in 2018. Do you see a trend here????
Well Barry, he’s not exactly expected to be Aaron Judge. He’s a bench bat.
@Joe Says ……. The problem is that Aaron Judge is gonna get hurt ….. He always does!!! …. So in a way, I guess that kind of makes him Aaron Judge now doesn’t it ….. Judge gets hurt ….. Jay Bruce and his .200 bat go in …. There are no bench outfield or DH bats when Stanton and Judge are on your roster.
Gardner is the first option. Not Bruce. Im not saying there won’t be times the Yankees will be forced to put him in the outfield but it won’t be that often
The “problem” is you’ve misidentified who he’s replacing. Bruce, if he makes the team, would replace Mike Ford, who hit .135/.226/.270 with a 37 OPS+ and a negative WAR. The advantage is he can serve as the back-up 1B’man as Ford did, but also can play the OF if needed. Better roster fit, and obviously a better track record, once again, if it happens. There’s a three-way competition for that spot still ongoing.
Yeah, but when he get hurts, move Frazier over to right and then have Gardner play left field until he’s back, problem solved.
Maybe not, but Bruce can also play some first base.
@BeryVarry@JoeSays:
Uh, I’m not sure I understand how the possibility of Judge getting injured, therefore the natural inference that RF will be manned by Bruce, makes him Judge, even if those possibilities do come to fruition. He’s a bench bat. If Lindor gets hurt nobody says of his replacement that he’s expected to be Lindor, or Trout, or Mookie, etc.
Jay Bruce is still in the majors? I don’t follow the Yankees but even with all the Yankees recent outfield injuries it’s shocking to me that they would have room on their roster for Bruce.
He can still field the corner outfield spots to a decent degree and can play some first base. He’s not even a three-true-outcomes guy either. Just an all-or-nothing hitter. Still, I’ll take a .200+ isolated slugging percentage if it means he can field his position+first base to an average+ degree.
@ mlb1225l
You’re being charitable.
Sorry, Mr. Bruce was a poor OF when he was in his prime. He’s tried 1B some the past few years but was pretty bad.
Anything can happen, but the odds are that he’ll be released or traded by July 4. Then again, he bats left-handed so he’ll try to pull enough routine fly balls into the Yankee Stadium bleachers to stick around some.
He’s been with 6 teams the last 6 years. Has a long way to go to catch up with Edwin Jackson. I for one am rooting for him. He’s been with the Mets 3 different times in those years. It’s fortunate he’s with the Yankees. I assume he’ll rent a place between the Bronx and Queens so he doesn’t have to pack in early summer. Late August-September is another story (hope it’s not the west coast again).
I don’t remember Jay Bruce being a poor RF. When did you see him play a poor OF?
Hmmm, Samuel, not only are you focused on the non-drafted Ford, you’ve moved your obsession on to Bruce as his potential replacement as the 24th, 25th or 26th man on the Yankees roster. Any interest in your own team?
I suggest you now double that check to Levine.
It’s crazy that Jay Bruce is only 33
@jtgoat- yeah though Brucie was about 50.
Bruce is only 33! Wow I just assumed he was older than that
Ford being optioned was guaranteed. One of Bruce, Dietrich or Tauchman was taking his role. There is no more clarity today than there was three weeks ago on which one of the three is getting that bench role.
As much as I like him, it’s going to be Tauchman traded for a PTBNL and cash considerations. Bruce will break camp.
Most likely. Decent chance Tauchman is moved before next Wednesday, which is when I believe they have to make a decision on Bruce. Don’t rule out Dietrich. Slow Spring, but I don’t believe the Yankees will make their final decision on ST numbers. Dietrich might fit the roster better.
Whitlock also has 0 walks thus far in spring training.
With regards to Garrett Whitlock does he need to stay on the 40 man roster to not be given back to the Yankees? I always forget about the Rule 5 time frames
He’ll need to stay on the active 26-man roster for the entire year.
They could try to pass him through to the minors, but they’d first have to offer him back to the Yankees. Some other team could also claim him, which they assuredly would.
@Ducky BF: Alright Ducky, this one is for all the Yankee haters and “negative value” evaluators of Andujar…. Jim Bowden of the Athletic proposed the following Yankees – Rockies deal:
Yankees get: Story, Marquez, Bard
Rox get: Garcia, Urshela, Andujar, Loaisiga
Now, I post this only because so many have authored opinions that it would take far more than the above package just to net either Marquez OR Story, and anything else is delusional.
Well……. not my idea, not my proposal, and I’m not taking a position on our team’s needs here; but Jim is someone who was an experienced GM and is an MLB insider. I think it’s worth recalibrating your opinion of trade values, Yankee bashers, no?
Yankee Clipper- I hate this trade. I have zero interest in trading Garcia in a package unless I’m getting back Luis Castillo or Zac Gallen. Marquez earns too much money right now for the Yankees. The Rockies could becoming a trading partner at the trade deadline though. I could see Luke Voit, Luis Gil, Alexander Vizcaino, Miguel Andujar
and Al Abreu being traded for Trevor Story and German Marquez then, especially if Severino doesn’t come back healthy as planned.
Not to mention that there is no guarantee that Story would stay.
Yankee-4-Life75…I happen to like your point of view on most things Yankees but in this case….I like the Clippers trade much better than yours because in yours, the Yankees are trading their starting 1st baseman, and 2 of their highest throwers in the minors along with Andujar who at this point nobody knows what he’ll give once given 40+ at bats again with a below standard mark defensively.
Story…well you petty much have to make sure you’re signing him long term for this trade to even happen and in Marquez, your getting a strikeout an inning starter, with 109 games under his belt. Bards, a throw in and who knows…..good trades are supposed to hurt and in Clippers trade, the Rockies get an elite 3rd base glove with good hitting skills, Alphabet who can definitely fit into anybody pen, and Garcia who seems destined for rotation work with results that should be at least average and possibly higher if given the chance…again throwing in Andujar might be a steal based on what you get when you give him 400+ at bats especially in rarified air in Colorado.
Just my thoughts in response.
Why would the Rockies want 2 third basemen?
@GP John- Andujar could play 3rd for the Roc’s, he’s just not winning a gold glove playing there. Miguel is so gifted hitting I agree with @Rocky7 no reason why Andy couldn’t hit 40 homers annually at Coors Field. I disagree though I would trade Voit instead of Urshela for Trevor Story. Not as high on Bard as others. I like Marquez but I’m not dealing Deivi or Schmidty for him. I’d rather deal one in a package that brings me back a Castillo or a Gallen at the trading deadline. I like Voit a lot but if offered Trevor Story straight up I would trade him to Colorado in a NY minute.
This trade puts the Yankees above the threshold so it’s a non-starter.
From a Rockies’ perspective, it’s a payroll move and doesn’t immediately nor guarantees to improve their team. The ONLY thing that the Rockies do well is draw fans and moving a bunch of familiar faces isn’t going to bode well for that. Everything else they do is confusing.
Who the hell plays 3B for the Yankees? Certainly not Trevor Story as he approaches free agency. Fwiw, Gio has been taking reps at SS if they need him there in a pinch.
I’ve been reading Bowden since he was at ESPN and I don’t give his writing much value.
What’s up, @Clip?
Been goose hunting. Go once a week this time of year.
So just seeing this now. So here’s my take. I don’t think that trade “hurts” enough if you know what I mean. I’d pull the trigger on that deal before Birdich stumbled over how to pronounce “Loaisiga”.
I’ve always felt that the best trade proposals (so none of mine, uh?) are tough. Now, I am a spender. There’s that. But I’m not sure the Yankees are giving up enough in this.
But Bowden is typically pretty good.
& I think we are still dealing with some ramifications of Covid, meaning the trade/free agent market is a bit wonky.
Boy, I’d love to see this one come together.
When will they get rid of Tyler Wade?
@HITTER23- there is no reason to get rid of “no hit- all glove” Tyler Wade. Perfect utility player who is cheap, can play all over the diamond, and has some speed. I think Thairo Estrada will be traded somewhere instead in a package lst, even though I like him as a player more then Wade. Estrada just needs to play more, he will hit and play good defense, when he is given a chance.
Plus Wade is fast. Unlike Estrada.
@Yankee Clipper- not sure why I like Estrada better though? Maybe because I think he is a better hitter? Lol. I think if Estrada played more he would definitely build up his value. But that is obviously not happening with the Yankees though.
Yankee-4-Life and Clipper….don’t disagree but Wade’s defense and speed have never been questioned but let me propose;
He has no constancy offensively and doesn’t use his speed with the bunt game….also, he does not use his speed to steal at all, only to advance which while not bad, is wasting his ability to put stress on the defense.
Finally, having a glove only speed guy on the bench takes away either an average guy that has glove and hitting skills like Jay Bruce, or shortens the bullpen and costs a guy like Luke a job on the roster…..Wades time has come and gone…time to cut the cord. The Yankees have plenty of glove guys in the minors who can fill the backup SS job if need be and probably give you the same offense Wade will give you and they’re not on the Major League bench.
Wade is as valuable as the gum on the dugout floor. Enough of him !!
Okay Rocky, (I like reading you and Yankee4Life, BTW, and agree with you both in just about everything), so, you thinking trade?
I get not wasting him on a bench spot, but we’d presumably have to throw him in as a side piece in a bigger package deal to get anything – anything come to mind?
Antimet: Valid assertion, and duly noted, but he’s taking up a roster spot and probably too valuable to just cut loose, imo.
Whitlock is nasty
The Yankees need to make a 5 for 1 trade to get rid of some of the players that will never get a chance in the Bronx. Estrada, Ford, Andujar, Albreu, Tauchman, Florial and so many players. It’s unfortunate these players have zero value to get anyone significant like a Castillo.
They do have value, especially with a team like the Reds. Although, it will take more to get Castillo (not what most assume), I’m still not sure it’s worth it for the Yankees at this juncture. Here’s why:
My opinion is that to land Castillo the Yankees will need to higher-level young arms to be included; so as an example, we will use Garcia/Schmidt/German for this exercise.
If two of those three, say German/Garcia, perform really well, which looks to be the case, would the Yankees want to dump both low salary, younger, controllable SPs into a package for two years or so of Castillo?
@Yankee Clipper- in order to get Castillo the Yankees would have to offer Deivi or Schmidty, Luis Gil, Alexander Vizcaino, Anthony Volpe, Al Abreu and others. Starting to think Zac Gallen would be a lot cheaper for the Yankees to acquire as far as prospects. I think their talent is definitely similar. If given the choice I think the Yankees would rather make a trade with the Diamondbacks instead of the Reds.
Zac Gallen would cost a heck of a lot as well. The Yankees look scary to me if Kluber and Talion are healthy this team will probably be in the World Series. A top three of Cole, Kluber, and Talion is quite scary.
Yanks really need to get rid of some depth , Yeah they get injuries but some of these guys are starting 140 games on most teams they deserve the chance
What is funny is the Yankees have not had a losing season in 28 years which is a record and everyone wants to find issues. I agree with you and I would rather have this problem that be a fan of a team that has no talent or desire to win.
Yankees fans are not hyping him. The media idiots are. Don’t hate we know your team sucks