Laugh. Go ahead, get it out of your system. I’m aware that the title of this piece seems totally ridiculous. Suspend your ridicule for just a few minutes and play along as I reach to find some of the redeeming qualities of the Yankees’ backup catcher, Austin Romine. There must a reason that he hasn’t been […]
Author: Derek Albin
Identifying some under the radar infield options
Aside from the Brewers causing a blip on the radar, there has been nothing happening in baseball. Where are the juicy rumors that we know and love? Even baseless speculation has been mostly absent for weeks. Sure, pitchers and catchers report to spring training soon, so our baseball appetite will finally be fulfilled then, right? […]
What’s a reasonable expectation for Yu Darvish’s contract?
This offseason has been slower than one of the Molina brothers trying to leg out an infield single. By this point in prior winters, most of the league’s top free agents would have had new clubs. As a result, there are a handful of theories pondering why top free agents haven’t signed despite the calendar nearing […]
The Yankees need a contingency plan for Gleyber Torres
It’s quite clear that the Yankees are planning to have Gleyber Torres become an infield mainstay this year. Whether that’s immediately on Opening Day or by some time in the middle of the season, Torres is expected to become the starting second or third baseman by year’s end. Torres is the team’s top prospect and one […]
The Clint Frazier Conundrum
The Yankees seem to have as many capable outfielders in the organization as they have pinstripes on the team’s home uniform. Clint Frazier is one of them. In a group that includes stars like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, a veteran leader like Brett Gardner, the skilled Aaron Hicks, and Jacoby Ellsbury, there isn’t much room […]
Learning from past trades with Gerrit Cole (and others) in mind
CC Sabathia has re-signed with the Yankees, but that doesn’t mean the front office’s work. Even though the roster already has five major league quality starters, the Yankees are still pursuing at least one more. Gerrit Cole is the most recently rumored name, though he’s not alone among potential trade targets. Given the organization’s prospect depth, […]
How CC Sabathia’s desire to stay has affected the Yankees’ plans
The Yankees have four bonafide major league starting pitchers and at least one more to be determined. So naturally, during the winter meetings, the team has been connected to a handful of other pitchers that could round out the rotation. Many of us assumed, including yours truly, that CC Sabathia would eventually return to solidify […]
Looking past Ohtani
Quite a lot happened over the weekend. The Yankees found themselves a new manager (listen to the podcast for more on that!), for one. If you thought that Aaron Boone becoming the Yankees’ skipper would be the most surprising thing to happen this weekend, well, Shohei Ohtani had other thoughts. General manager Brian Cashman confirmed to […]
The Yankees, Shohei Ohtani, and a Six-Man Rotation
Over the next few days, Shohei Ohtani, one of the most coveted baseball players in the sport’s history, will be reviewing a questionnaire he proffered to the 30 major league teams for his services. Not long after, and certainly before the new year, the 23 year-old will decide on a new home partially based on his […]
Using Carlos Gomez’s free agency as a barometer for Jacoby Ellsbury
At first glance, Carlos Gomez and Jacoby Ellsbury don’t appear to share many similarities aside from the position they play. Gomez hits for power, Ellsbury does not. Gomez throws and bats right-handed, Ellsbury does the opposite. Gomez is a free agent, Ellsbury is not. You get the picture by now. Despite these differences, what happens with […]