N.Y. Yankees: Evil Empire Once Again Undone By Rebel Forces

From the desk of: THE SULTANS OF SO WHAT

AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

Rays defeat Yankees; 3-2

I - NYY 9; TBR 3

II - TBR 7; NYY 5

III - TBR 8; NYY 4

IV - NYY 5; TBR 1

V - TBR 2; NYY 1

A.L. East Champion Tampa Bay Rays Eliminate Bronx Bummers

The Yankees lineup features a keen balance of young talent and veteran leadership, as well as this season's American League batting champion and home run leader.  Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are healthy and in the line-up together.  Kyle Igashioka is batting over .300 and providing a needed upgrade behind the plate in place of beleaguered catcher Gary Sanchez.  On the mound, New York's $300 million dollar man is on the mound while one of baseball's more formidable closers stands at the ready.

Entering Game Five the Yankees have everything perfectly set up.  All is going according to Brian Cashman's plan.

Pitching on only two days rest, Tampa "opener" Tyler Glasnow allows no runs and no hits in 2.1 innings pitched.  In the fourth inning Aaron Judge takes reliever Nick Anderson deep to right for a 1-0 Yankees lead.  Tampa ties the score in the bottom of the fifth when right fielder Austin Meadows connects against Gerrit Cole who is pitching on three days rest.  In the bottom of the sixth Brett Gardner reaches above the left field wall to intercept left fielder Randy Arozarena's potential home run.  Aaron Boone immediately makes a pitching change.  Enter Zach Britton who holds Tampa scoreless for 1.1 innings.  After which Aroldis Chapman is brought into the game with two outs in the seventh.  Rays reliever Peter Fairbanks contributes two scoreless innings and Diego Castillo holds the Yankees scoreless in the top of the eighth.  With one out in the bottom of the eighth Michael Brosseau deposits Aroldis Chapman's tenth offering of the at-bat into the left field seats for a 2-1 Rays lead.  Diego Castillo closes out the game with strikeouts of Giancarlo Stanton and Luke Voit and retiring Gio Urshela on a liner to third.  The A.L. East champs win the series three games against two and advance to the ALCS versus the waiting and defending World Series champion Houston Astros.  

#StayAngry

The Yankees fall short of their mission statement, again, forgoing an opportunity to avenge last year's ALCS loss against the Astros.  With no banging garbage cans anywhere to be heard the Yankees have no excuses.  No Luis Severino?  No, sorry, that's hardly a viable reason why the Yankees lost in five to Tampa.

They couldn't prompt the offensive machine at will when faced with superior post-season pitching.  Home run or nothing loses again.  The Yankees do not string together hits.  That's a difficult task with Aaron Judge batting second and Giancarlo Stanton hitting clean-up.  Despite a .316 average in the series, Stanton's six home runs are largely inconsequential.  Aaron Judge goes 4 for 30 (.133) with three home runs, five runs batted in and ten strikeouts.  Together, Stanton and Judge combine to hit .214 (12 for 56) with nine home runs, 18 runs batted in and 20 strikeouts.  The Yankees strikeout eleven times in Game Five and 18 times in Game Two (accounting for 66% of their allotted outs).  Yet, Yankee analytics say strikeouts be damn; it's better than grounding into a double play.  

Therefore ... the Sultans of So What!

Someone tried getting too cute and completely botched Game Two.  Without knowing who is largely responsible, both Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone are equally to blame.  They tried outsmarting the small market Rays and failed.  This is the organization Chaim Bloom left behind in favor of the Boston Red Sox position.  Cashman the general manager needs to reassess himself and this grand master plan of his.  Some on the outside looking in might say Cashman has done everything perfectly.  But the results do not agree.

Game Two essentially becomes a lesson in upper management meddling and analytical oversight.  You can not script games ... at least not like the Rays.  Aaron Boone was clearly left speechless.  But when Jordan Montgomery saved the Yankees from elimination, Game Two became less of an issue.  Now that the Yankees have bowed out of the playoffs Game Two again becomes a most glaring issue.

Brian Cashman has essentially recruited a bland band of narrowly focused stormtroopers.  Armed with analytics the Yankees have become robotic and stationary.  I'm sure everyone knows what bad shots stormtroopers are - these aren't the pitches you're looking for.  The Yankees ability to tap into the force at the flick of a switch is equally suspect.  Analytics may steer teams during the regular season when the law of averages rule the day.  The playoffs, however, require far more humanism in order to deal with the nuance of short series baseball.

Michael Brosseau avenges an Aroldis Chapman fastball aimed right at his head back in September.  

Tampa outclasses the mighty Bronx Bombers.

The Evil Empire is once again outdone by smaller rebel forces.

N.Y. Yankees: Bronx Bombers Quietly Advance Into Off-Season

From the desk of: BLAME CARLOS MAY

MINUTE MAID PARK

SEPTEMBER 2019

AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Astros defeat Yankees; 4-2

I - NYY 7; HOU 0

II - HOU 3; NYY 2

III - HOU 4; NYY 1

IV - HOU 8; NYY 3

V - NYY 4; HOU 1

GAME SIX

Yankees   4

Astros      6

FINAL

Like a Bottle Rocket in the Night the Bombers Season Goes Pop

ALL AROLDIS CHAPMAN COULD DO WAS GRIN, AND BEAR IT.  I believe it was more a curt expression than anything else.  Dismay manifests itself in many forms.  But the look on Chapman's face no doubt punctuates another confounding New York Yankee exit from post-season play.

• 2019 ALCS - BR

What a brilliant at-bat in the top of the ninth inning by D.J. LeMahieu.  He demonstrates great discipline in laying off a slider low and away for ball two.  With a 2-2 count he fouls off four straight pitches (five in all), which I felt was attributable to poor sequencing.  But when Roberto Osuna finally elevates an enticing eye level fastball, LeMahieu smartly takes it for ball three.  That forces Osuna into throwing a hitter's pitch.  His tenth offering of the sequence is just that.  LeMahieu deposits the ball over the right field wall just beyond the outstretched arm of a leaping George Springer tying the game at four.

With two outs in the last half of the ninth Aroldis Chapman walks George Springer.  That brings to the plate Jose Altuve who promptly ends the Yankees season by crushing Chapman's fourth offering, a slider, high and deep over the left field wall for a walk-off victory.

If you're wondering why Chad Green is starting game six of the ALCS, look no further than Brian Cashman.  Otherwise the decision to bullpen an elimination game is Aaron Boone's only recourse.  Although no stranger to starting games, Green nevertheless yields a double, a walk, and a three run home run by Yuri Gurriel for an 0-3 first inning deficit.

Gary Sanchez drives in a run in the second, and Gio Urshela's home run in the fourth closes the gap to one.  But Houston picks up an insurance run when Altuve scores on Alex Bregman's fielder's choice in the sixth.

And into the ninth inning they go ...


NUMBERS OF THE BEAST

Both sides utilize seven pitchers in GAME SIX:

• NYY: six earned runs on six hits and six walks with six strikeouts through 8.2 innings pitched.  They throw 170 pitches with only 101 (59%) going for strikes.
• HOU: four earned runs on ten hits and four walks with eleven strikeouts through nine innings pitched.  They throw 154 pitches with 101 (65%) going for strikes.

SWING AND A MISS

• Jose Altuve: .348/.444/.652; two home runs; three runs batted in; four walks; one strikeout!
• Carlos Correa; George Springer; Yuli Gurriel: five home runs; 13 runs batted in.

• Aaron Judge: .240/.321/.360; home run; two runs batted in; three walks; ten strikeouts!
• Gary Sanchez: .130/167/.261; home run; three runs batted in; one walk; twelve strikeouts!
• Edwin Encarnacion: .056/.227/.111; four walks; eleven strikeouts!
• Brett Gardner: .136/.208/.136; one run batted in; two walks; ten strikeouts!
• Giancarlo Stanton: 2 for 7, home run; three strikeouts.
• Thank goodness for Aaron Hicks?

• HOU: slash .179/.281/.318; eight home runs; 27 walks; 54 strikeouts; 24 runs scored.
• NYY: slash .214/.289/.383; ten home runs; 22 walks; 64 strikeouts; 21 runs scored.

THE REAL BRONX BOMBERS

• DJ LeMahieu: .346/.414/.615; two home runs; three runs batted in; three walks; two strikeouts.
• Gleyber Torres: .280/.333/.600; two home runs; six runs batted in; two walks; four strikeouts.
• Gio Urshela: two home runs; two runs batted in; two walks; .828 OPS; two strikeouts.

THE REAL BRONX BUMMER

• HOU Three Starters: ten earned runs in 31 innings for 2.90 ERA; 24 H; 10 W; 34 K.
• NYY Three Starters: seven earned runs in 23.2 innings for 2.71 ERA; 18 H; 12 W; 23 K.

• HOU Bullpen: ten earned runs; 21.1 innings; 4.26 ERA.
• NYY Bullpen: seven earned runs; 26.1 innings; 2.41 ERA.

• HOU hit eight home runs, only four are solo shots.  They leave 45 runners on base and bat (5/46) .108 w/ RiSP.  Team slash .179/.281/.318.
• NYY hit ten home runs, but seven are solo shots.  They leave 42 runners on base and bat (6/35) .171 w/ RiSP.  Team slash .214/.289/.383.

SO, WHAT THE F&@% JUST HAPPENED.!?

Game Two Loss:

• Starter James Paxton lasts just 2.1 innings; reliever J.A. Happ surrenders game winning home run in 11th inning.

Game Three Loss:

• Luis Severino is far from mid-season form.  He misses the entire season until returning to action in September.  He makes three appearances and pitches just twelve innings prior to the ALDS versus Minnesota.  Opposed by Houston's Gerrit Cole, Severino yields two earned runs on five hits and three walks with six strikeouts through 4.1 innings pitched.  Cole throws seven scoreless innings allowing just four hits and five walks with seven strikeouts.

Game Four Loss:

• Zack Greinke and Ryan Presley outperform Masahiro Tanaka and Chad Green.  Tanaka surrenders four runs (three earned) on four hits (George Springer home run) and two walks with just one strikeout through five innings pitched.  Chad Green yields a two-run home run in the sixth to Carlos Correa.  Greinke and Presley surrender just one run on three hits and five walks with seven strikeouts through five innings.

Game Six Loss:

• Chad Green serves as game opener.  He promptly surrenders a first inning three-run home run to Yuli Gurriel.  LeMahieu hits a game-tying home run in the top of the ninth.  Aroldis Chapman loses control of his fastball, Altuve crushes a slider in the bottom of the ninth, series over.

Brian Cashman's failure to land a viable starting pitcher at the trade deadline comes to pass.  The plan to bullpen game six backfires horribly.  No one could have predicted Domingo German's season ending in suspension.  Although with 30 home runs allowed and a 4.03 ERA through 143 innings pitched, I'm not quite sure German would have made a series altering difference.  However, waiting on Luis Severino proves a mistake.  C.C. Sabathia's physical condition and overall effectiveness was also a known factor.  Moreover, last season's money acquisition of J.A. Happ fails to pay dividends.  His ineffectiveness was likewise a known factor heading into the deadline.  Happ posted a regular season 4.91 ERA through 161.1 innings pitched.  Relegated to the bullpen for the playoffs, he makes just two appearances against the Astros, yielding a hit, a walk, and a run, through 2.2 innings pitched.  Otherwise game six "opener" Chad Green posts a 9.64 ERA through four appearances and 4.2 innings pitched.  Adam Ottavino is worse, allowing four runs on six hits through five appearances and 2.1 innings pitched for an 11.57 ERA.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Houston's outstanding defense; Houston's game saving defense, that is.  Meanwhile four Yankees errors in game four contribute to three unearned runs in an 8-3 loss.  Gary Sanchez once again proves a liability behind the plate.

Failure to improve rotation depth; a bullish bullpen; too many strikeouts; and lack of clutch or even situational hitting; make of it what you will.  At the end of the day, Houston's top star rises to the occasion and the Yankees top stars do not.


TRENDING

Once is an event; twice is a coincidence; three times is a trend.  The Yankees are eliminated from post-season play for a third consecutive year, twice at the hands of the Houston Astros.

2017 ALCS: Astros Defeat Yankees; 4-3

• HOU: slash .187/.271/.294; 20 runs; 40 hits; four home runs; 24 walks; 45 strikeouts.
• NYY: slash .205/.274/.347; 22 runs; 45 hits; six home runs; 19 walks; 70 strikeouts.

• HOU Four Starters: 13 runs on 32 hits through 46.1 innings for 2.54 ERA (6.2 innings per start).
• NYY Four Starters: 9 runs on 21 hits through 36 innings for 2.25 ERA (5.1 innings per start).

• HOU Bullpen: 9 runs on 13 hits through 12.2 innings for 6.64 ERA.
• NYY Bullpen: 11 runs on 19 hits through 23.1 innings for 4.28 ERA.

2018 ALDS: Red Sox Defeat Yankees; 3-1

• BOS: 27 runs; 39 hits; .279/.358/.429; 18 walks; 29 strikeouts.
• NYY: 14 runs; 28 hits; .214/.295/.321; 15 walks; 31 strikeouts.

• BOS Four Starters:  7 runs on 18 hits through 20.2 innings pitched for 3.12 ERA.
• NYY Four Starters: 15 runs on 19 hits through 13.0 innings pitched for 10.38 ERA.

Stick It With Your Analytics ~ Acquire Starting Pitching ~ Stop Striking Out So Damn Much ~ Stick It With Your Analytics ~ Acquire Starting Pitching ~ Stop Striking Out So Damn Much ~ Stick It With Your Analytics ~ Acquire Starting Pitching ~ Stop Striking Out So Damn Much ~ Stick It With Your Analytics ~ Acquire Starting Pitching ~ Stop Striking Out So Damn Much ~ Stick It With Your Analytics ~ Acquire Starting Pitching ~ Stop Striking Out So Damn Much.  Stick It ...

N.Y. Yankees: Mother Nature Throws Aaron Boone a Change-Up

From the desk of: BLAME CARLOS MAY

GAME CALLED

AMERICAN LEAGUE 

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME FOUR

Houston Astros

vs.

New York Yankees

Brian Cashman, Aaron Boone, and Mother Nature walk into a bar ...

Aaron Boone's (potential) plan to bullpen his way through game four knowing Thursday would be a travel day is compromised by Mother Nature.  Wednesday's rain-out means the remainder of the ALCS must be played out on consecutive days.  While Aaron Boone gets to pitch his starters on normal rest, he now must act with far more prudence when giving them the hook.  With only four chances to win three games, the spotlight is fixed on Aaron Boone and how efficiently and effectively he utilizes his bullpen going forward.

After six games the bullpen already has more innings pitched than Yankees starters.  Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton, and Luis Severino, have each made two post-season starts.  They've collectively yielded seven runs through 26.1 innings pitched for a 2.41 ERA, but only average 4.1 innings per start.  Even if you take away Paxton's 2.1 inning effort in game two, the Yankees top three still only average five innings at best.  To date, only Masahiro Tanaka has pitched into the sixth.  Meanwhile the bullpen boasts a 2.23 ERA through 28.2 innings pitched.

Adam Ottavino has appeared in all six playoff games; Zack Britton and Tommy Kahnle are next in with five appearances each.  Meanwhile J.A. Happ has been nothing short of a liability.  It's no wonder Aaron Boone has only called his name twice through six games.  Makes me wonder which left-hander Boone will trust more in a big situation: C.C. Sabathia or J.A. Happ.

On a related front, Brian Cashman's failure to land a pitcher at the trade deadline was just about coming to pass when the rains hit early Wednesday afternoon.  Had Wednesday's game been played and the Yankees lost, Cashman would surely have been brought to task.  He escapes that criticism, for now, with help from Mother Nature.

But, boy, she really did stick it to Aaron Boone.

N.Y. Yankees: Astros Pitching Short Circuiting Bomber Bats

From the desk of: BLAME CARLOS MAY

AMERICAN LEAGUE 

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

ASTROS LEAD YANKEES; 2-1

I - NYY 7; HOU 0

II - HOU 3; NYY 2

III - HOU 4; NYY 1

GAME FOUR

Houston Astros

vs.

New York Yankees

FROM

BRONX COUNTY

Having now faced Houston's big three, the Yankees trail the ALCS (1-2) with two games left to play at Yankee Stadium.  Baring a pinstriped implosion this series is heading back to Houston where the Yankees in game one score seven runs on 13 hits against Zack Greinke.  However, New York's momentum at the plate only carries them as far as the next game's opposing pitcher.  In game two Justin Verlander and five Astros relievers join in limiting the Yankees to six hits and a pair of runs.  On Tuesday Gerrit Cole and a trio of relievers yield just one run on five hits.  That's three runs on eleven hits for the Yankees over their last two games.  Not very Bomber like, save for Gleyber Torres.

• Gary Sanchez: 1 for 13 (.077); six strikeouts; and presently a defensive liability.

Game four strikes me as a coin flip.  Each manager has limited pitching options and none seem terribly promising.  The tentative plan is to bring Tanaka back on short rest.  Plan B would be to bullpen the game.  There's always C.C. Sabathia.  Or just pray for rain.

For what it's worth, Paxton would be on his bullpen day three days after being yanked from game two after allowing an earned run on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts in just 2.1 innings pitched.

Meanwhile the Astros appear only slightly more well off handing the ball to Wade Miley.  This all remains to be determined.  But it sure looks like game four is building up to be a hitter's game.

Famous last words ...

Which ever team wins game four I believe seizes the advantage.  Houston, obviously, because they'll have three opportunities to win one game.  But if the Yankees should take game four, Masahiro Tanaka is in line for game five.  Tanaka pitches brilliantly against the Twins, and more so in game one at Houston in which he allows the Astros just one hit and one walk, with four strikeouts through six scoreless innings pitched.

Rewind back to the final weeks and days of June.  Brian Cashman turns his back on what he believes to be a rigged trade market, electing instead to hold his ground.  Luis Severino perhaps plays a part in Cashman's decision.  But we just witnessed the consequences of his decisions in game three and now leading into game four.  It's clear Severino is nowhere near mid-season form, much less ALCS ready.  But in lieu of pitching upgrades, this is precisely why Brian Cashman acquires Edwin Encarnacion ...

... to win game four.

N.Y. Yankees: Trade Deadline Silence is Deafening

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Nothing Ventured; Nothing Gained

I'm sure Brian Cashman spent the weeks, days, hours, and minutes, leading up to Wednesday's MLB trade deadline negotiating very earnestly.  Cashman has been serving in his present capacity a long time and to coin a recent Aaron Boone quip, he's a savage in his general manager's office.  If Cashman feels teams were being unreasonable in negotiations, he's entitled to that opinion.  After all, the Yankees are dealing from a position of strength.  And so in his view preventing the Yankees from getting ripped off is justified.

Unfortunately, reasonable minded thinking makes fans break out in a rash.  They don't wanna hear that crap when the competition is making deals all around them.  Yankee bugs wanted a starting pitcher or two, if not another relief pitcher.  Coming out of this empty handed was completely out of the question, and at one time considered unfathomable.  Bewildered fans will spend the next few nights talking in their sleep asking themselves what in the name of Col. Jacob Ruppert were they thinking.

LUIS SEVERINO IS NOT WALKING THROUGH THAT DOOR

Cashman leaves Aaron Boone to press forward with starters Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton, C.C. Sabathia, J.A. Happ, and Domingo German.  The five account for 95 starts over the Yankees 107 games played to date.  Chad Green accounts for another eight other starts.  Not one of them presently sport an ERA below four.  Domingo German is their best at 4.08 through 17 starts and 97 innings pitched.  He also leads the staff with a 1.11 WHiP.  Here is the Yankees problem: Sabathia, Tanaka, Paxton, and Happ, together combine for a 4.88 ERA.  The Yankees offset that with a +119 run differential.  However, in a short playoff series we know the dynamics of baseball play out very differently.

When the Mets acquired Marcus Stroman they somewhat cornered the market on high end movable starters (if you include Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler).  However, the biggest news to impact the Yankees occurs when Houston acquires pitcher Zack Greinke from Arizona.

Brian Cashman is essentially telling Aaron Boone he had better win with what he has.  Thus the manager's toughest assignment lay dead ahead; negotiating his deep and effective bullpen through the next 55 games of the season and getting them to October all in one piece.  In other words prepare for more Sunny Gray days ahead. 

And don't @ Cashman if someone gets injured.  

Call Scranton.

N.Y. Yankees: Where The Wild Teams Are

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Road to Boston Goes Through Bronx

AMERICAN LEAGUE WILD CARD

Oakland Athletics

vs.

New York Yankees

FROM

Bronx County Grounds

New York Yankees: Aaron Boone Juices Up His Battery.

You can't get fired for doing what you're told.  At least that's what Joe Girardi thought.

Can it be that Aaron Boone - manager of the team with the most expansive analytics department in all of baseball - is betting the Yankees entire 100-win season on a gut feeling?

I heard the same stupid stats as you - about the A's team batting average against pitches above/below 95-mph, etc.  I don't buy it - not in a one game scenario.  Go ahead and throw the A's a 97-mph fastball over the middle of the plate, and see what happens.  However, I do say Boone is starting Severino because he's the known element here; Happ is Boone's unknown.  So if Boone is indeed acting on a hunch, he is taking an awfully big risk.

Brian Cashman makes no bones about it: he wants his manager utilizing every last bit of information his staff provides.  That's how Joe Girardi earned the moniker Joey Notebook.  I'd argue Girardi's famous blue binder was only somewhat different than George dialing-up Billy Martin on the dugout phone, in the sense that Girardi actually listened.  Billy, not so much.

Be that as it may, Aaron Boone is placing the Yankees hopes of a continuing post-season run on the right arm of Luis Severino and his demonstrated ability to win at home.

In the days leading up to Wednesday evening's showdown against the Oakland A's, strong arguments have been made favoring J.A. Happ starting the Wild Card game.  He's been the better pitcher since his acquisition from Toronto, and traditional wisdom says you want a southpaw pitching at Yankee Stadium.

Happ, 35-years old, is 7-0 since joining the Yankees with a 2.69 ERA, and 1.052 WHiP through eleven starts, and edges Severino with a 7.2 H/9 average.  For the season, Happ is 17-6 with a 3.65 ERA and 1.131 WHiP.

I'm sure Boone is aware of Luis Severino's start in last year's Wild Card game against Minnesota, when he faced just six batters, allowed three earned runs on four hits (two home runs) and a walk, and failed to complete the first inning.  Undeterred, Boone is nevertheless trusting his so-called ace.  Severino started 32 games this season, posting a 19-8 record with a 3.39 ERA and 1.145 WHiP.  He allowed 173 hits through 191.1 innings, with a 2.2 W/9 and 10.3 K/9 average, with 220 strikeouts.

Boone is also overlooking Gary Sanchez's inefficiencies behind the plate in the hopes he impacts the game at the plate.  However, that does not negate the numerous disagreements which took place this season between Severino and Sanchez in the dugout for all to see.  Only hindsight at this point will determine whether Boone should have gone with Austin Romine - the better defensive receiver - behind the plate.

Perhaps someone from MLB ought to test Boone for backbone growth hormones or management enhancing drugs.  If you're familiar with how the Yankees general manager operates, might as well test Boone for other street doping agents, as well.

All eyes are on him.

That said, Boone's mind appears set.  Either Severino and Sanchez perform like Energizer bunnies, or Boone and the Yankees fall victim to a dead battery.

N.Y. Yankees: Brian Cashman Trades a Dozen Prospects in Last Twelve Months

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

What more can he do?

New York Yankees: If Bronx Bombers Fall Short, It Won't Be Brian Cashman's Fault.

I've said this before ...

Regardless of what happens moving forward, Brian Cashman is having his greatest season as general manager of the Yankees, which also speaks to a successful rebuild and various acquisitions leading up to this year.

The Yankees might still be a starting pitcher short, and there's only so much you can do about injuries.  But his youth is serving him well, in more ways that one.  Cashman has packaged a platoon sized element of minor league prospects in order to keep the Yankees in a highly competitive state.

If you go back to last year's trade deadline, Cashman trades James Kaprielian, Dustin Fowler, and Jorge Mateo in order to secure Sunny Gray from Oakland.  During the off-season, he sends Jorge Guzman and Jose Devers (and Starlin Castro) to Miami in exchange for Giancarlo Stanton. 

Leading up to this season's non-waiver trade deadline, Cashman acquires pitcher J.A. Happ from the Blue Jays for Brandon Drury and Bill McKinney, and also picks up Zach Britton from Baltimore in return for Dillon Tate, Josh Rogers, and Cody Carroll.  But Cashman still isn't through.  He now acquires Andrew McCutchen (who clears waivers) from the Giants in time for him to qualify for the postseason roster.  The Giants receive Abiatal Avelino and Juan DePaulina.  And in his most recent transaction, Cashman picks up shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria for a PTBNL or cash considerations.

All told, Brian Cashman has transacted twelve minor league prospects over the course of one full calendar year in order to built, maintain, and refortify a team presently playing 35 games over the .500 mark.

And as promised he's keeping Hal Steinbrenner under the luxury tax threshold, to boot.

N.Y. Yankees: Bombers Invade Boston for Pivotal Series Against Sox

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

New York Yankees

vs.

Boston Red Sox

FROM

Fenway Park

New York Yankees: You Talkin' To Me?

If you're a regular rider of the Trolley, perhaps you're familiar with one of my sayings: once is an event; twice is a coincidence; three times is a trend.

Phil Nevin, third base coach of the Yankees, if you remember, calls out Red Sox manager Alex Cora during the first series between them and the Yankees back in April.  This past Wednesday, Nevin rips into select members of his own team which Aaron Boone is made to address during the post-game.

Entering this weekend's four game series, what are the chances Phil Nevin blows his top again over something or at someone?  I'm curious to see just how much power Phil Nevin thinks he wields.  Not before last night did I harbor any conspiracy theories.  But being as Boone is the calm, cool, collected one, I wonder if he and Nevin are employing the old good cop/bad cop routine upon young impressionable players?

I'm not so sure that's a good idea.  Brian Cashman let Joe Girardi go partly because he was too hard on Gary Sanchez, but generally because of his no nonsense, clenched jaw manner.  I have to question whether Brian Cashman agrees with Phil Nevin's tact.  I'm more inclined to think that if Nevin keeps this up, Cashman will suggest Boone seek out an alternative third base coach.

The Rivalry: No Chris Sale; No Xander Bogaerts; No Dustin Pedroia; No Aaron Judge; No Gary Sanchez; No J.A. Happ; No Problem ...

Here we go again.  The two best teams in baseball clash this weekend at Fenway Park.  Despite being thirty games over .500, the Yankees trail the first place Red Sox by 5.5 games.  The Bombers have a more favorable schedule ahead than do the Red Sox, but not if they keep giving away games to the moribund Baltimore Orioles.  The Red Sox, on the other hand, enter this series with the best record in baseball, 41 games above the .500 mark.  Even after their franchise record 17-2 start, the Sox still own a 58-32 record since then.

However, neither team is lacking in compromising issues.  The Yankees enter this series minus the services of Gary Sanchez, Aaron Boone, and newly acquired J.A. Happ.  The Red Sox are without their ace, Chris Sale.  Xander Bogaerts will not play Thursday, and is questionable beyond that.  Meanwhile, Dustin Pedrioa will likely continue missing the rest of the season.

Losing Sale (for any stretch of games) is a particularly painful blow to Boston.  After 22 starts, Sale is 11-4 with a league leading 2.04 ERA.  With only 90 hits allowed in 141 innings pitched, he likewise leads the league with an 0.87 WHiP.  He also leads with 207 strikeouts and a 13.2 K/9 average.

Luis Severino leads the league with 14 wins against just four losses, and owns a 2.94 ERA.  Rick Porcello is right behind him with 13 victories.

Boston features two of the league's top three hitters.  Mookie Betts leads the A.L. with a .338 average, J.D. Martinez is third with a .323 mark, and is tied for the lead with 32 home runs, and leads with 89 RBI.  Mookie Betts is third with a 6.5 WAR.

When the Bombers are at bat, I discussed the other day how all eyes will be on Giancarlo Stanton.

If the Yankees are to make headway, they need to win three games.  Of course, a split doesn't hurt.  But to lose three of four, or worse, is putting themselves in a big pickle.  Starting with Thursday night's game at Fenway, the Yankees and Red Sox have nine games remaining.

N.Y. Yankees: Cashman Acquisitions Overshadowed By Aaron Judge Injury

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Brian Cashman Shores Up Pitching With Two Savvy Transactions

New York Yankees: Jury Remains Out on J.A. Happ and Zach Britton Deals Until Judge Returns to Lineup.

The true measure of Brian Cashman's trade deadline acquisitions will be Aaron Judge.  For now, his wrist fracture renders the Yankees newest pitchers somewhat inconsequential, as A.J. Happ and Zach Britton were meant to enhance the team, not supplant their best layer.

A tip of the cap is nonetheless owed Brian Cashman for masterfully restocking the Yankees farm system with an abundance of young talent.  Some prospects have earned regular work with the big club, others remain parked at Scranton, while yet another handful have been traded in order to procure active major league talent.

If you include last season, Brian Cashman has literally traded away a small minor league team within a year's time.  On July 31, 2017, Cashman acquires Sonny Gray from Oakland in exchange for James Kaprielian, Dustin Fowler, and Jorge Mateo.  During the off-season, he ships Jorge Guzman and Jose Devers along with second baseman Starlin Castro to Miami for Giancarlo Stanton.  Now he sends Brandon Drury (originally acquired from Arizona) and Bill McKinney to Toronto in exchange for starter J.A. Happ, which comes on the heels of acquiring Zach Britton from Baltimore in exchange for Dillon Tate, Josh Rogers, and Cody Carroll.  All told, that's ten minor league players other general managers found interest with.

By the same token, successfully rebuilding the big club according to his own design without ever falling below .500 is nothing short of remarkable.  Even more remarkable is how Cashman fit Giancarlo Stanton, A.J. Happ, and Zach Britton into the budget all while satisfying Hal Steinbrenner's mandate for staying under the tax threshold, with room to spare.  Meanwhile, Boston president Dave Dombrowski is spending John Henry's money like a drunken sailor on leave, just as he did at Detroit.

The Yankees entered the weekend already owning a slight pitching advantage in ERA and BAA over the Red Sox.  But by adding another sorely needed quality southpaw, the league's best bullpen just got better.  Not only is Zach Britton not a member of the Red Sox, he now brings the Yankees a step closer to reducing any game against the pinstripes into a more desperate five inning affair.

However, Brian Cashman's primary need was a starting pitcher, and he landed one.  J.A Happ, a 35-year old veteran of both leagues, is another lefty who seemingly should fit right in at Yankee Stadium.  His 4.18 ERA is presently the highest its been in four years, but his WHiP, H/9 average, and K/9 average are all improved over last year.  More importantly, he owns superlative numbers against the Red Sox.

Conversely, the Red Sox already own distinct advantages at the plate over the Yankees even with Aaron Judge in the lineup.  They've established a +36 run differential over the Yankees, and lead the American League in runs scored, total bases, team average, and OPS.  Meanwhile the Yankees lead the Red Sox in home runs, slugging, and strikeouts.  The latter should improve while Judge misses the next three weeks to a month.

Until his return, the jury remains out on J.A. Happ and Zach Britton.

N.Y. Yankees: Gary Sanchez Is, As Gary Sanchez Does

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Look what Tampa did to the Yankees, again.

New York Yankees Fall Six Games Behind Red Sox.

If you want to know why the Yankees find themselves six games back of the Boston Red Sox, look no further than Monday's respective opponents.  The Yankees were in Tampa playing the ever gamely Rays, while the Red Sox were in Baltimore playing the moribund Orioles.

With Monday night's 6-7 loss at Tampa, the Yankees fall to 5-5 against the Rays this season.  The Red Sox are 9-4 against the Tampa Rays.  With Monday's 5-3 victory at Baltimore, the Red Sox improve 10-2 against the Orioles.  Meanwhile, the Yankees are just 5-5 against the Birds.  Add it up, and the Red Sox are 19-5 against Tampa/Baltimore, while the Yankees are just 10-10 against them.

GARY SANCHEZ: LACK OF HUSTLE, NO SENSE OF URGENCY COSTS YANKEES.

The Yankees catcher is, as the Yankees catcher does ... or not.  If asked to single-out one player, I'd say Gary Sanchez is perhaps most responsible for influencing Brian Cashman's decision to move on from former manager Joe Girardi, who would have reprimanded Sanchez for Monday's performance, or lack thereof.  Instead, Cashman wants someone to coddle his young players and therefore settles on Aaron Boone, who doesn't appear too keen on putting his catcher's feet to the fire.

Two plays in particular bookend Monday's Yankee loss.  His lackadaisical retrieval of a passed ball in the opening frame directly leads to Tampa's first run of the game.  In the ninth, his gross lack of hustle running out a ground ball surely cost the Yankees an opportunity at tying the game.  Throw in an unsightly dugout discussion between him and Luis Severino, and the Yankees officially have a situation.

I understand Sanchez is feeling a little tender.  But someone needs to remind that young man he is in the midst of a pennant race, and that his present thought process is unacceptable.  He cost the Yankees a game at a time when they can least afford to lose.  Joe Girardi would have addressed this post-haste, and did so as manager of the Yankees.  But he's not here anymore.  And so Sanchez plods along unchecked.

After the game, Aaron Boone implemented non-committal damage control with the media.

Subway Series: The Best and Worst City Has to Offer

From the desks of:

HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  and  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Heading in Opposite Directions

SUBWAY SERIES

New York Metropolitans

vs.

New York Highlanders

FROM

THE HOUSE THAT GEORGE BUILT

BRONX

With a 39-55 record, playing meaningful games in September is out of the question.  Instead, the Mets head into the second-half tied with the Miami Marlins for last place in the N.L. East.  On a macro level, they need to go 42-26 over the final 68 games of the season just to break even.  On a micro level, anything short of playing .500 baseball from here on out will guarantee them a second straight 90-loss season.  Meanwhile, the non-waiver trade deadline is fast approaching and the Mets have no general manager to speak of.  I suspect John Ricco is merely playing the role of front man, and that Jeff Wilpon is firmly in charge with Omar Minaya mentoring him.  As such, I'm also inclined to believe J.P. Ricciardi, as someone brought into the fold by Sandy Alderson, will not be sticking around beyond this season and already has one foot out the door.  Said another way, the Mets organizational situation is dire, their condition is critical.

At least they catch a break this weekend ...

The Mets will not be facing C.C. Sabathia nor Luis Severino whom pitched in the All-Star Game.  Giving Sabathia an extended vacation is a smart move by the Yankees.  With 18 starts to date, Sabathia is 7-6 with a very respectable 3.51 ERA, and 1.27 WHiP.  He has allowed 98 hits and fanned 77 batters in exactly 100 innings pitched.  He is the Yankees stopper; his forte is preventing losing streaks.  General manager Brian Cashman is under pressure to add another starting pitcher by the deadline, which is exactly why keeping C.C. fresh and in functioning order is in the Yankees best interest.

Otherwise, the Bronx Bombers are living up to their moniker leading the American League in home runs and team slugging en route to a stellar 62-33 record.  Yet, despite their best efforts they remain in second place 4.5 games back of the relentless Boston Red Sox who lead the circuit in total bases, team average, and runs scored.  There has never been a regular season in which both the Yankees and Red Sox each won 100 games.  After 115 years in the circuit together, this might finally be the one.  It's no wonder, then, why minions of the Evil Empire are up in arms faced with potentially having to play a one-game Wild Card playoff.

N.Y. Yankees: Much Machado About Nothing

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

"He's a bluffin' bluffer ... Bluff!" - Ed Norton

New Yor Yankees: Why is Brian Cashman even remotely interested in acquiring Manny Machado?

... And why are the Red Sox seemingly expressing interest, for that matter?  At least Manny is a somewhat better fit with Boston than here in Bronx.  The Red Sox are unlikely to intrude on Xander Bogeart's space.  But depending on your opinion regarding Rafael Devers and Eduardo Nunez manning third base, acquiring Manny Machado might be worth investigating - for them.

But if you're an older Yankees fan, this may wreak of the 1980s all over again.  For the moment, though, this appears to be nothing more than scuttlebutt.  Otherwise, I just can't see the Yankees being serious about acquiring Manny Machado when they have Didi Gregoreous, Gleyber Torrez, Miguel Andujar, and a seeming glut of young emerging talent already in hand.

What the Yankees need is a starting pitcher.  Everyone knows that.

But this is just a theory: Brian Cashman is sly like a fox, and knowing how Red Sox general manager Dave Dombrowsky ran the Tigers and the mess he left behind at Detroit, perhaps Cashman is merely driving up Machado's price in the hopes Boston Sox both depletes their farm system, then fail in retaining the looming free agent.

Then again, the Yankees trail the Boston Red Sox by 4.5 games heading into the All-Star break.  And neither the Yankees nor the Red Sox want the end the season hinging on a one game Wild Card playoff.

No wonder Yankee fans sound as if they're in a panic ...

N.Y. Yankees: Brian Cashman Reclaims The High Ground

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

I Think We Need A Bigger Park

New York Yankees: Brian Cashman acquires outfield slugger Giancarlo Stanton along with $30 million dollars from Derek Jeter Miami Marlins in exchange for Starlin Castro, prospects, and a complimentary bag of NYC bagels.

I left off in my previous post saying ... 

Make no mistake.  The energy of the old Evil Empire is not dead.  

It is merely being transformed.  This is Brian Cashman's New Bronx Order.

😲

When you think about it, the Death Star Bronx County is indeed the logical landing spot, but only because Sith Lord Brian Cashman made it so.

Cashman had already started whittling down payroll since before Derek Jeter's retirement.  And as luck would have it, the Empire Yankees wound up being the lone team presently capable of absorbing Giancarlo's mega contract in which he is still owed $295 million dollars.

Derek Jeter's options were clearly limited due to Stanton's full no-trade clause, making it no wonder Jeter also kicked in $30 million as part of the trade agreement.

Even more amazing is the fact the Yankees are able to accommodate the balance of their $265 million obligation, and still satisfy Emperor Hal Steinbrenner's desire for being under the luxury tax.

Giancarlo Stanton, the 2017 National League MVP, batted .281 with a .376 OBP.  He led all of baseball with 59 home runs and 132 RBI, and led the National League with a .631 slugging average.

Aaron Judge, the 2017 American League Rookie of the Year, slashed .284/.422/.627, and led the A.L. with 52 home runs, 128 runs scored, 127 walks, drove in 114 runs, and finished second in voting for American League MVP.

Combined, they hit 111 home runs and posted 246 RBI in 2017 (with 371 strikeouts in 1,139 regular season at-bats for a rate of 32.5 percent.., just saying).

With a line-up also featuring Didi Gregorious, Gary Sanchez, Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks, et al, you can forget about Mos Isley Cantina Coors Field, as Yankee Stadium suddenly becomes the nation's wretched hive of scum and villainy largest pinball machine.

Perhaps the Yankees should consider installing overhead netting in order to protect the Judge's Chamber and Bleacher Creatures, or at the very least make them all wear Storm Trooper helmets.

There's no denying Christmas arrived early for Yankee droids fans.  What an absolutely stunning off-season this has been for Yankees brass as well, between the hiring of new Imperial Guard field manager Aaron Boone, and now this.

But wait, there's more.  As Brian Cashman continues expressing his desire to rule the galaxy sign a starting pitcher, be it resigning C.C. Sabathia, or otherwise.

In fact, he foresees it.

Upon the conclusion of a whirlwind week in December, Brian Cashman has no doubt seized the attention of every member of the Senate general manager in baseball.  Every front office, field manager, Jedi, and player, from Los Angeles to Houston, Anaheim to Chicago, from Boston, and closer to home in Tatooine Queens, realize the Sith Yankees have once more altered the landscape of baseball.

R2 says the chances of A.L. East survival are 3,720 ... to one.

Here we go again.

N.Y. Yankees: Brian Cashman Selects Aaron Boone To Lead New Generation

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Joe Girardi was last major vestige of the old Evil Empire

New York Yankees: Aaron Boone Named First Manager In Brian Cashman's New Bronx Order.

Aaron Boone Becomes 33rd Manager in History of the Yankees

Future baseball historians may look back on Joe Girardi's dismissal as the day the old Evil Empire exhausted its final breath.

Girardi was not oblivious to the transforming realities encircling him.  Game fundamentals and the science of baseball itself have been undergoing changes throughout this new millennium.  The former Yankees manager was living it, thinking he was up to speed, and that everything was just fine.

Why wouldn't he?

As the former catcher for a modern dynasty, who other than Girardi understood the pressures of having to meet the Boss' high expectations, or performing to Bronx Cheer for that matter?  Who among available candidates could match his wealth of first hand knowledge and practical experience?

After managing the Yankees through ten straight winning seasons, overseeing the organization's lone member of the 3,000 hit club, a Rookie of the Year winner, first ballot Hall of Famers, capturing the 2009 World Series championship, and most recently knocking off the defending American League champion Cleveland Indians, who among the pool of potentially available managerial candidates could possibly have been more qualified to replace Joe?

In more recent years, Girardi also believes he had sufficiently demonstrated an ability to not only evolve with the pace of baseball's changing trends with a willingness to embrace and apply front office metrics, but had also expressed his openness for continuing in the redefining of 21st century operational relationships between front office and field managing.

Ironically, as it relates to this off-season's turn of events, Joe also won Manager of the Year honors in 2006 for the way he guided Miami's young players.  It's no wonder, then, he ended the 2017 season under the impression that he'd been establishing positive relationships and communicating quite well with the Yankees younger players.

Joe Girardi's resume can otherwise be captured in three words: The perfect fit.

Only he wasn't; not here; not anymore.

In my opinion, Brian Cashman decided to move on two years ago.  The optic emanating from the dugout spoke volumes.  Girardi was suddenly a granite symbol of the old imperial system; a lingering relic of the old republic; an immovable triumphal arch smack in the middle of a modern dugout; and ultimately something very ancient and somewhat strange to an even newer generation of players whom no longer understood Latin.  Fairly or not, everything on Joe Girardi's resume screamed old school.

Generations have passed.  My parents were Baby Boomers, making me a Generation X'er.  I in turn brought a Millennial into the world.  While the new manager of the Yankees will be dealing with many of those, he more importantly will be inheriting Generation Z - teenagers, and those presently old enough to serve in the military, but still too young to legally drink.  These are the upcoming players Aaron Boone is specifically being asked to manage ... in a kinder, gentler way, that many of of old fools from the old school don't quite understand.

Funny ... like me, Girardi and Boone are both Gen-X'ers.  Boone is only nine years younger than Girardi.  I'm somewhere in the middle.  I know Aaron comes a lot cheaper than Girardi does.

Just saying ...

Baseball no doubt courses through Aaron Boone's veins.  His grandfather, father, and brother, all major league players - his pedigree is impeccable.  His coaching and/or managerial experience, however, is nonexistent.

So what's he gonna do, hand out cans of Dr. Pepper?

Six candidates interviewed for the Yankees post: Carlos Beltran, Eric Wedge, Bobby Thompson, Hensley Meulens, Chris Woodward, and Aaron Boone, whom apparently out-shined them all.  In fact, Boone's former colleagues at ESPN are only some of the many that have done nothing but rave about him.

In any event, Brian Cashman continues steering the organization into new uncharted territory.  But make no mistake, the energy of the old empire is not dead.  It is merely being transformed.

This is Brian Cashman's New Bronx Order.

It needn't to make sense to us.

N.Y. Yankees: Because Stone Cold Cashman Says So

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Sun Sets On Joe Girardi's Career With Yankees

New York Yankees: If There Were Any Lingering Questions Before, There's No Doubt Who Runs The Evil Empire Now.

David Lennon quotes Brian Cashman in Friday's Newsday saying, "Everything this organization does is with careful and thorough consideration, and we've decided to pursue alternatives for the managerial position."

Sharp words ... cut like a knife.

I just finished putting the Jets on blast for what I believe is their general manager's lack of conviction.  So it would be hypocritical of me to harangue Brian Cashman after parting ways with Joe Girardi.

There's no escaping, however, he did after all tell a man who owns a 910-710 (.562) record in ten seasons as manager of the Yankees; who never even had a losing season; who led them to six post-season appearances and a World Series title in 2009; and who this year piloted a new batch of young Bombers over the defending American League champions; that his services are no longer wanted by the organization.

First, let's play along and suppose this was a financial move.  What they say about baseball and life mimicking each other is true.  If a manager is being made to merely comply with front office metrics, then there's no reason to pay multi-millions for practical experience and length of service, when they can just as easily employ a younger person to serve the same purpose at a fraction of the cost.  That is the epitome of corporate America.  Lest we forget, Hal Steinbrenner is an accountant by trade.  He signed off on this.  Even though he grew up witnessing George's wanton spending up close; and is proving himself a good baseball man in his own right; this kind of negative cost/return must make the back of Hal's head tingle.

Brian Cashman has said on numerous occasions, be it in print or on radio, that he prefers a manager utilizing all the information provided by the organization.  Which essentially means he does not necessarily want a manager thinking for her/himself, regardless of their baseball experience or intellect.  That, however, was not Cashman's issue with Joe Girardi, who played by the book just as the front office wished.

Who knows?  Managing with limits could have been a point of contention for Joe Girardi, but we may be waiting until he writes a book before finding out.

Being as I went there ... Joe Girardi had one shot at relying on his instinct and better judgement, and still blew it.  Game Two of the ALDS against the Indians at Cleveland, when he failed to challenge a potential foul-tip/strikeout.  He needlessly waited on his scouts in the sky for a determination; that came too late; when he absolutely should have asked for a replay post haste, not because Gary Sanchez implored him to, rather, just because(!) the situation demanded it.

Perhaps a packed Yankee Stadium raining down boos upon Joe Girardi during Game Three's opening introductions somewhat served as confirmation in Brian Cashman's mind that it was indeed time to move on.

I've always felt Joe Girardi is wound too tightly.  Many Yankee fans do too.  Even on the heels of success, it winds up being his downfall in the Bronx.  He means well, and maintained the respect of his players and opponents alike throughout his ten year managerial run with the Yankees.  But let's face it, time marches on, and Girardi's dogged/nose in the dirt/no-nonsense/grinding style is better tailored for the Boss' era, when veteran stoicism still ruled the day.  In fact, it's still the Yankees legacy.

But take a look at the post-George atmosphere today.  His own children christened the Judge's Chambers in right field.  There's open camaraderie and levity in the dugout.  As a result, Joe Girardi suddenly became an overly rigid square peg straight out of the 1960s, trying to fit into a round, younger, more hipper scene, man.

In truth, Girardi has been on the major league level for 26 years now.  To help put this in perspective, that's a full generation.  In Girardi's defense, what if his vast experience, and intensity, are what actually kept a young team in line?  Were it not for Girardi's tight grip on matters, could youthful exuberance have gotten out of hand?

We'll find out next season, won't we?

Regardless, this is Cashman's Yankees now, built according to his own specifications and by his own device, and he saw little sense in moving forward with a manager of Joe Girardi's vintage.

Sure, Steinbrenner money was still good enough to by a championship in 2009, but that was eight years ago.  I believe Brian Cashman knew he was doing himself no favors by spending nearly another half-billion dollars in 2013 (with only Masahiro Tanaka to show for it today).  At the time, Hal Steinbrenner may have had no choice but to keep feeding the machine.  And I think both knew this flew in the face of the very bones Cashman originally picked with George.  He and Cashman had a falling out in the mid-2000's that made him consider accepting the general managerial position in Washington.  But once the two reconciled their differences, Cashman has been slowly separating the Yankees from past practices ever since.

This is Brian Cashman's new world order.

He dictated the end of Bernie Williams' career with the Yankees.  He coldly handled the team's separation from Hall of Fame manager Joe Torre with the greatest of ease.  Also recall how Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi acting in tandem offered no quarter to Yankee legends, Jorge Posada, Alex Rodriguez, and Derek Jeter, in the last years of their respective careers.

Is it any wonder, then, despite his winning three rings as a player with the Yankees, then a fourth as their manager, that Cashman should end Joe Girardi's Yankees career in similar fashion?

He decides these Yankees, and future pinstriped talents to come, will march to a different beat.  Cashman now wants someone more affable, who will negotiate the team through this new age with more simpatico.

Oh, the irony!

You have to give it to him, though.  Brian Cashman successfully flipped this team on the fly without ever dipping below the .500 mark.

Now it appears as if the young Yankees and the young Red Sox have the American League East to themselves again.  That's why there's more to this than just trying to establish better communication with players.  Competition is the real impetus here.  This rivalry has been about managers as much as players, featuring the likes of Joe Torre and Joe Girardi, Grady Little, Terry Francona, and the recently excused John Farrell.

The Red Sox were first to act, and have already replaced Farrell with a well respected graduate of the new age school of baseball.  I have no doubt this factored in Cashman's decision.  He knows he needs to counteract, and oppose, the hiring of Alex Cora in Boston.

And on a completely different level, this is Brian Cashman's attempt at seizing his own enduring Yankee legacy.

Hear him.

Believe it.

N.Y. Yankees: Congratulations, Nonetheless

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

A Season To Be Proud Of

91-71 (.562)

WILD CARD

WINNER ALDS

New York Yankees: Young Bombers May Have Come Up Short, But Fans Have An Awful Lot To Look Forward To.

The Yankees are coming!

Not only did the young Bombers arrive ahead of schedule, but they knocked off the defending American League champions to boot.

The regular season also demonstrated just how slim the margin of difference is between the Yankees and Red Sox.  It looks like the American League East is a two team division again.  Both teams are young, and still upcoming.  Their respective farm systems are also well stocked.  Meanwhile, the Orioles, Blue Jays, and Rays, are all trending downward; all three finished the regular season below par.  In any event, the rivalry between the Yanks and Sox appears back on, and with potential to last for many years to come.

That's good for baseball.  It's also fun to watch.

Losing, however, is never fun.  Saying the Yankees and their fans should be proud of themselves despite losing to the Astros is easier said than done.  I know.  I root for the Mets.  When you get that close to the prize, one wants to win badly as ever.

Congratulations, nonetheless.

The BTB Top Three Concerns:

I)  Joe Girardi's Contract 

With most of the top managerial candidates being quickly gobbled up, it's unlikely the Yankees would risk parting with Girardi at this juncture.  Teams would line up to hire Joe should he become    available.  I'm sure if Girardi, or the Yankees front office, had any intentions of parting ways, we would have already known.

However, I can certainly see Hal Steinbrenner insisting Girardi come at a reduced price.  That in turn may put Brian Cashman in a pickle if, and when, he negotiates a new pact with Girardi.

As a Mets fan, I'll throw this into the mix - what if the end of season exit interviews go horribly wrong?  We Mets fans were under the impression Collins was well liked in the clubhouse, partly because the media defended him all these years.  The same media then kicked Collins when he was already down and on the way out with a scathing expose rife with anonymous sources.

II)  Gary Sanchez is a Defensive Liability Behind the Plate

That was made painfully clear, if not confirmed, against the Houston Astros.  Three particular instances stand out when he was unable to cleanly receive a rely throw to the plate, thus allowing a potential out to score safely.  All three plays directly affected the outcome of three respective games.  Joe Girardi makes no secret of his displeasure with Gary's defense.

III)  Yankees Got All The Pitching in the Post-Season They Could Have Hoped For

Luis Severino posted a fine regular season, and may have simply tuckered out the playoffs.  Masahiro Tanaka is signed through 2019, but can opt out.  He is clearly a better pitcher with extended rest.  Starters make one appearance a week in Japan.  Here, pitchers start every fifth day.  It's a somewhat taxing situation, which makes his potential price somewhat prohibitive.  Jordan Montgomery is up and coming, and the acquisition of Sonny Gray helped, but to what extent remains to be seen.  He is arbitration eligible.  The Yankees may potentially need another replacement in the starting rotation.  CC Sabathia's contract is finally coming off the books.  Capt'n Crunch is now a free agent to be.  He is 37-years old, and just might be asked back on a one year deal with an option.

In other words, questions abound.

N.Y. Yankees: Is Didi Gregorious New Meneer Oktober?

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

AMERICAN LEAGUE

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Game One

New York Yankees

vs.

Houston Astros

FROM

( ( (( ! ! !! HOUSTON STRONG !! ! ! )) ) )

TEXAS

New York Yankees: Wild Card Hero; ALDS Hero; What's Next For Didi Gregorious?

Meneer Oktober/Dutch/Mr. October

All hail Shane Greene!

Remember him?

He was the relief pitcher Brian Cashman traded, as part of a three team trade, to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for shortstop Didi Gregorious from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

I felt then as I feel now, acquiring Didi may have been one of Cashman's best ever transactions since being appointed general manager of the Yankees twenty years ago.

Gregorious originally won me over during the 2013 World Baseball Classic, and soon thereafter as a 23-year old rookie for Arizona.  The Diamondbacks, however, didn't see things my way, and made Didi start the 2014 season at triple-A.  He was recalled by June, and went on to hit just .226 in 270 at-bats, with a .290 OBP.

There's little wondering, then, why Arizona (mistakenly) seemed willing to part ways.  After all, the Diamondbacks did well in acquiring starting pitcher Robbie Ray (and a minor league prospect), as part of the deal, from Detroit.

Didi's first season with the Yankees was his first full season in the majors.  He posted modest personal gains in most every offensive category, slashing a then career best .265/.318/.370 in 525 official at-bats, with 35 extra base hits, and 56 RBI.

He confirmed my suspicions about him the following season, slashing .276/.304/.447, with 32 doubles, 20 home runs, and 70 RBI.

I was once again astounded with his performance for Team Netherlands earlier this year during the 2017 World Baseball Classic.  Albeit, the WBC is an exhibition which still fails to draw the world's best players together in one competition.

However, his 2017 regular season effectively eliminated any lingering fret with respect to replacing a Yankee legend.

Rather, Didi is in the midst of writing his own chapter in Yankee lure.

While establishing new career highs in batting, slugging, homers, and RBI, his 25 regular season home runs set a new Yankees record by a shortstop.

Yankee Stadium was aglow with frenetic energy in anticipation of Luis Severino's opening pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the American League Wild Card game.  Four batters and two home runs later, however, the Twins were staked to an immediate 3-0 lead.

Enter Didi Gregorious.  With two on and one out in the bottom of the first, Didi worked a full count against Twins starter Ervin Santana, then yanked his payoff pitch into the outfield stands just left of the right field foul pole.  Game tied - Yankees go on to win by an 8-4 final.

Didi went just 1 for 13 against Cleveland pitchers through the first four games of the ALDS.  But he still managed to get on base, drawing six walks in 19 plate appearances.

Then in Game Five, Didi demonstrated he was merely saving his best for last.  He went 3 for 5 in the decisive game, with a pair of home runs, and three RBI, off Cleveland's ace.  His first inning home run off Corey Kluber gave the Yankees an instant 1-0 lead, and better yet, it silenced the Cleveland crowd.  Two innings later, Didi connected on his second home run off Kluber, giving the Yankees a 3-0 lead, and marking the beginning of the end of Cleveland's now former remarkable season.

Didi Gregorious will turn 28-years old in February, but will not be free agent eligible until 2020, which means he will be under Yankees control during (traditionally speaking) prime years of his career.

What a great trade...

N.Y. Yankees: Hal Steinbrenner Backs His General Manager

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

First stop ... Roosevelt Avenue, Queens

Next stop ... River Avenue, Bronx

SUBWAY SERIES

New York Yankees

vs.

New York Mets

Series tied 1-1

I - NYY 6; NYM 5*

II - NYM 7 ; NYY 1

Game Three @ BRONX

Game Four @ BRONX

*10 innings

New York Yankees: The dreams and hopes of a whole generation of seven year olds ... ruined.  But in time, they'll understand.

A famous New York football coach once said, "You are what your record says you are."

The New York Yankees entered this year's Subway Series with a par 52-52 record.

Meanwhile, after posting a 15-7 record in April, the Mets have played below .500 baseball since.   There's hope, though.  After Sunday's victory over the Colorado Rockies, the Mets finished 13-13 for the month of July, and entered Monday's Subway Series opener with a 54-50 season record.

The teams, however, couldn't be headed in more opposite directions.  The Mets are struggling, but are nonetheless attempting to defend their National League title, while the Yankees have officially entered rebuilding mode.

Monday's numerous non-waiver trade deadline transactions confirmed that.

If you ask me, Hal Steinbrenner played this one correctly.  I began the season thinking Brian Cashman needed to be fired, and the only thing saving his employment was Hal's perceived lack of baseball experience on my part.

I still do not think Hal is prepared to move forward without Cashman, but having them operating on the same page of music trumps all ... to include Randy Levine.

*  *  *  The PHANTOM MENACE  *  *  *

The law of diminished returns caught up with the Yankees.  It happens.  But one must first recognize the situation for what it is.

It was indeed becoming painfully evident Randy Levine and Brian Cashman were on divergent paths with regards to the present state of the Yankees, and the club's future.  Now Cashman gets to be general manager, and do general manager stuff.  For a change, the Yankees will cultivate their own farm system instead of relying on 28 other team's developmental efforts.

He gets to rebuild a team a la Gene Michael, instead of just writing checks for other team's all-stars and jacking up YES ratings.

In fact, Brian Cashman has already done well to quietly reinvigorate a long dormant system.  The Yankees AAA affiliate (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders) presently owns the best record in the International League.  Their AA affiliate (Trenton Thunder) owns a 68-40 record, and their New York-Penn League affiliate (Staten Island Yankees) are just 1.5 games out of first place with a 24-19 record.

Then consider Cashman's transactions:

• Top relievers Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller were traded to the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians, respectively, for a clutch of highly touted prospects.

• Carlos Beltran was traded to the Texas Rangers for likewise highly touted Dillon Tate, among others.

• Ivan Nova was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for ... it doesn't matter (two players to be named later is a steal). 

Then consider Mark Teixeira's contract will come off the books after this off-season, while C.C. Sabathia has a vested $25 million dollar option for next season with a $5 million dollar buyout which I fully expect the Yankees to explore.

Alex Rodriguez' contract will finally expire after the 2017 season, but I have a strong belief the Yankees just may eat that money too.

That leaves Jacoby Ellsbury's pact as the lone remaining albatross to resolve.

There's certainly something to be said for winning.  Brian Cashman doled out nearly a half billion dollars to purchase the 2009 World Series.  Well worth it for the Core Four - without a doubt.

The Yankees have been paying an onerous price ever since.

But there's good news.  Better days are not that far away.


Head-Butting Mr. Met is next...