LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA: Yesterday it was Giancarlo Stanton and his arrival to New York as the Yankees made their splash at the annual Baseball Winter Meetings. Day 2 of official business was no surprise when the Yankees sent infielder Chase Headley out of the Bronx and back to San Diego.
This was another move that GM Brian Cashman pulled for any number of reasons. One being, Headley was expendable and it paves the way to re-sign Todd Frazier with a one-year deal. Frazier, acquired at the July trade deadline was never off the Yankees radar and a Yankees official said we always valued his time and return to the Bronx.
In exchange, the Yankees acquired outfielder Jabari Blash and the Padres also got right-handed pitcher Bryan Mitchell. Blash made his debut in 2016 and has batted .200 with 31 runs , 8 doubles, 8 home runs, 21 RBI, and 39 walks in two seasons with the Padres.
Headley in four seasons with the Yankees hit .262, and for the most part got some clutch hits as a sometime starter and utility player off the bench. This does not leave a major hole for the Yankees as they are expected to offer Frazier a one or two year deal.
Or this could lead to another significant Yankees move and involves the name of Manny Machado. The Baltimore Orioles are considering moving Machado back to shortstop from third base if the three-time all-star does not have another team by the start of Opening Day.
Machado, would fit what the Yankees want. Why? Take a look at the Stanton move and how sudden the complexion changed again in the Bronx. And because this is the Yankees, as seen with the Stanton acquisition, they always seem to get what they want. The Orioles advantage is getting rid of payroll and the Yankees acquiring of course one of the elite players in the game…
There is every expectation that Left-hander CC Sabathia will be offered a one-year deal by the Yankees and return for another season. The announcement could come as soon as Wednesday, the official end of the meetings….
Yankees are also shying away again from acquiring 27-year old right-hander Gerrit Cole from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Reportedly the Pirates are asking for outfielder Clint Frazier and two prospects. The asking price is too much and of course that means GM Brian Cashman is back to the drawing board in quest for a quality starter as the meetings come to a close…
METS AND QUIET ZONE: Bryan Shaw is not coming to Citi Field and Matt Harvey will for the moment will not have to worry about leaving town. Shaw, the reliable Cleveland relief pitcher used in a set up role, is headed to Colorado on a three-year deal. That posed an interesting question for the Mets as they looked to add to a bullpen with Jerry Blevins, AJ Ramos, and Jeurys Familia.
Shaw, would have reunited with former manager Mickey Callaway….. And earlier, Callaway in a meeting with the media said Familia is not the definite closer. The interesting comment from Callaway, “I think we’re going to pitch guys when it makes sense and we’re going to pitch guys to our strengths and they’re going to face the batter’s they should be facing.”
In other words, Callaway will be using a bullpen that is contingent on situations and teams they face and innings pitched will not be a factor…
KINSLER ON THE MOVE: Late Tuesday night the Mets were closing in on a deal that could occur before these meetings conclude and it involves 35-year old second baseman Ian Kinsler. The Tigers are also in a rebuilding mode and it makes sense for the Mets to take their chance on a veteran.
However, Mets CEO Fred Wilpon earlier in the day was seen leaving the premises of the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, site of the meetings and that could be an indication that nothing significant was expected regarding any activity for the Mets.
Though not official, Wilmer Flores would be a part of the deal for Kinsler and another source said two minor leaguers would be a part of the trade.
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