New York Yankees

[M. Steng]

I mean they have hit with RISP and we haven’t. CC ran out of gas and Kahnle didn’t have it tonight. Pretty simple really.

Young guys have struggled away from home all postseason, this isn’t surprising.

[mr. testaverde]

Ive decided i dont like the way Altuve chews gum

[daveshookme]

How many times has Sanchez not caught the ball on throws to the plate just this series alone? I can count at least 3 off the top of my head. That has to change for next year.

[M. Steng]

Originally Posted by daveshookme

How many times has Sanchez not caught the ball on throws to the plate just this series alone? I can count at least 3 off the top of my head. That has to change for next year.

It baffles me that he doesn’t take his mask off on plays at the plate. Absolutely bizarre.

Fitting that Jude’s final at bat of the year was striking out on a slider 750 ft outside of the strike zone

[mr. testaverde]

So they weren't supposed to make it this far this season. And its been a HUGE surprise to see them play 7 games in the ALCS, but fuck this still sucks

[M. Steng]

Agreed, total surprise and I feel fortunate to have been able to watch meaningful baseball into late October once again. But to see the magic they were capable of and then just go totally quiet for two games is really disappointing.

The crazy thing is this is the worst roster we will have for the next 6-7 years. Nothing but positives for this team going forward.

[Dannyyankou]

Originally Posted by Lcsulla

We're fucked. Not even sure why I am still watching. Gotta find someone to replace castro, dude is mediocre at the plate and a defensive liability.

Gleyber Torres

[ToySoldier#34]

Sox fan - I know you are probably all pissed but just wanted to say great season, I'm glad the Yankees are relevant again and hope the rivalry picks up!

[Ascf33]

I have no love for Ellsbury but we should have played him instead of Hicks in both game 6 and 7. Hicks wasn't hitting for shit.

[Ascf33]

Also Starlin Castro is a really good hitter. Dude just had a really bad playoffs.

[M. Steng]

Originally Posted by Ascf33

I have no love for Ellsbury but we should have played him instead of Hicks in both game 6 and 7. Hicks wasn't hitting for shit.

Idk man, it's not like Ellsbury was lighting it up when he got his chances in the playoffs. Might as well keep Hicks in there for his much better defense. It's not like either of them would have been the make or break based on how it turned out, though.

Originally Posted by Ascf33

Also Starlin Castro is a really good hitter. Dude just had a really bad playoffs.

His defense was also woeful. I don't think it ever had a negative impact on the game as far as runs scoring because of it, but he was just lost out there. He always seemed like the kind of guy who lacked focus out there. With Gleyber coming up I would have no issue trying to trade Castro. I say they re-sign Frazier, have him at third for 2 years, start Gleyber at 2nd and when Frazier is washed up move him over to third.

[Ascf33]

Hicks had big ABs in both games late. I think you gotta try something. Pinch hitting Ells or Holliday and then Ells replaces him in the field for the final inning or two.

[Ascf33]

We have different opinions there. I see Castro as a major piece of our team and key to winning a championship in the next three years. Dude is still young and hits above his position.

[M. Steng]

Originally Posted by Ascf33

Hicks had big ABs in both games late. I think you gotta try something. Pinch hitting Ells or Holliday and then Ells replaces him in the field for the final inning or two.

I see what you're saying, but I had no confidence in Ellsbury or Holliday to deliver in any spot that Hicks was in. Holliday had seen live pitching once in about a month, and Ellsbury cooled off big time in the ALDS after his late hot streak he went on.

As far as Castro, I like him and agree he hits well above his position, but going forward I'd like to see a more reliable glove there. I realize it's nitpicky and there are a ton of teams who would love to pencil him in their lineup every day, I just never saw him as a true long term solution for 2B.

[hbktonyb]

I don't see any reason why we should have started Ellsbury. Dude is a waste.

I hope we move Castro in the offseason and play Torres at 2nd. I guess Torres could play 3rd too.

[YouNeverKnow25]

I don't think there's any way they start torres in MLB coming off that surgery

I also think they want him to play 3rd not 2nd

[M. Steng]

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow25

I don't think there's any way they start torres in MLB coming off that surgery

I also think they want him to play 3rd not 2nd

The TJ was on his non-throwing arm, and he's already taking swings off the tee as of last week. I think he'll be back and ready to compete for a starting job come spring training. May not start him in the bigs right off the bat (with Torreyes still around as our utility/plug-in infielder), but a month or so in AA or AAA should get his bat back up to speed, hopefully.

To my knowledge Torres is a versatile infielder, I know ideally they'd like to groom him for 3rd but if the immediate need is at 2B it's not like he has to stay there forever.

[YouNeverKnow25]

I think torres at 3rd and castro at 2nd is a much better option, both financially and talent-wise, than paying t frazier and trading castro

[Brohan_Santana]

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow25

I don't think there's any way they start torres in MLB coming off that surgery

I also think they want him to play 3rd not 2nd

No reason to put him at third when Yanks will push hard for Dongaldson or Machado

[scrock25]

My thought has been that they go after both Machado AND Harper after 2018. So I agree with Brohan here with the Machado take. I mean it basically sets itself up perfectly.

[hbktonyb]

Yeah I'd prefer Toddfather for 1 year, move Castro since he has some value. Maybe package him with an Ellsbury to get rid of that contract. Torres at 2nd. Sign Machado. Use Headley as a backup to Byrd.

[mr. testaverde]

what if prospect Andujar puts it all together and is a top notch 3B? Machado may not be needed

[YouNeverKnow25]

it's nice to like your own prospects

that said, miguel andujar ain't obviating anything about manny machado

[mr. testaverde]

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow25

it's nice to like your own prospects

that said, miguel andujar ain't obviating anything about manny machado

i'm not saying that andujar is the next machado, but if he becomes a pretty good 3B, let's say 2.0 WAR compared to machado's avg WAR of 4.5ish per season, then perhaps machado wont really be needed. They can spend money on somewhere else. andujar still needs work and there's a chance he doesn't pan out so it could all be moot since manny is an established all-star

[YouNeverKnow25]

saying that machado "averages" 4.5 war a season is a fun-with-numbers that doesn't stand up to scrutiny

he had an off year this year at the plate, no doubt

before that the guy put up 6+ war every full season he's played

he's one of the best players in the game, if you can get him, you get him

[mr. testaverde]

yeah but at what price? perhaps the yankees are being frugal for the next year to spend BIG after the 2018 season, but if you spend $30m on a guy to get you 6 WAR compared to let's say $5m for andujar's 2 WAR, that's over $6m per extra win. for a team that's run by a self-proclaimed finance nerd, that's not smart business.

despite all this, who says they're going after machado anyways?

[scrock25]

I've only really been saying it because it's fun to say and I'm not bringing Andujar into the equation.

[scrock25]

Just posted this in the MLB thread but it’s all over the place that Girardi is being forced out and the official announcement is coming tomorrow.

[daveshookme]

Do not like that idea.

[scrock25]

Nor do I in spite of my frustration with him during/after G2 of the ALDS.