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Follow @mlbreportsThursday Aug.15/2013
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Alfonso Soriano has given the Yankees team an infusion of power that they have not seen from the Right Handed hitting players in their lineup since Vernon Wells took off in April. The LF destroyed the Angels for 4 HRS and 13 RBI on Tuesday and Wednesday combined. While Cashman never liked this idea to bring back the Veteran, I called for it all the way back in April. The offense has gone back to being the Bronx Bombers, putting up 36 Runs in their last 5 Games, among a 4 – 1 record. In 18 Games for his return to NY, the 37 Year Old has a 3 Slash Line of .296/.324/.944 – with 7 HRs, 22 RBI and 17 Runs scored. –Photo courtesy of faniq.com.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Sometimes as writers we prognosticate things that end up panning out, other times our predictions are lit up bigger than a New York Dumpster Fire in the brunt of summer.
Back when Curtis Granderson was 1st hurt this year, I wrote an article on the options for the Yankees to replace him – check it out here.
I stated that I thought Vernon Wells and Alfonso Soriano would be good additions for the year – considering where the Yankees wanted to go during Mariano Rivera‘s last season.
Alfonso Soriano Grand Slam 8/14/2013
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Any other year the club could have easily packed it in. I will give credit to Cashman for picking up guys like Travis Hafner, Vernon Wells, Lyle Overbay, Kevin Youkilis and Jayson Nix, however he missed the boat completely on the Catchers position, and they have been behind the eight ball at the position all year. Just added to the fold is Mark Reynolds, a great short term idea for 1st base or DH.
In both instances, I had requested that not only would they be an upgrade over anybody from their farm, but that having the Cubs or Angels pick up the majority of the contract the following season, would be great for the 2014 Luxury Tax Threshold,
The Yankees picked up Wells first, and he had a stellar April. Despite the fact he couldn’t keep up the bat, I still think it was the right move.
In this piece, I also thought Soriano would be a more logical choice for what the Bronx Bombers needed.
I guess it was too much to ask for the Cubs to include Matt Garza in the trade somehow, with Ivan Nova being a piece to use for the deal.
Having said this, the Chicago did well in the package the acquired from Texas, while the player (Corey Black), they received from the Yankees may work out in the long run as a guy who can throw 95 MPH.
In July, I has asked for Brian Cashman to become a ‘Riverboat Gambler’ when the team was 4 games over .500 and on the verge of playing the Twins.
The team went on a nice winning streak before the ALL – Star Break, but it was due to a lack of viable competition.
I believe the club waited too long to finally pull the trigger on the Soriano deal, yet again, I fully love this move.
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While I don’t condone any of the A-ROD nonsense, and am completely in favor of him being suspended for 211 Games (also hoping that he is playing his last games every for New York right now, he is clearly the best alternative in the lineup currently at 3B).
I have to admit, he has looked okay at the plate thus far. A-Rod has a 3 Slash Line of .278/.350/.767 with 10 hits, a HR and 4 RBI.
The Yankees should be thanking their lucky stars that not only will Alex Rodriguez be likely suspended for all of 2014 when the team is looking to dip under $189 MIL (saving his $27.5 MIL contract), but they also have him back in the lineup for the rest of this season.
Between Soriano’s brilliant start for the Yanks, coupled with Granderson back in the lineup, and A-Rod, that is 1/3rd of your lineup bringing some thunder to the table now.
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Ichiro Suzuki’s value goes up substantially when the rest of the lineup looks like a Major League Roster. He has not blown away the opposition with his play this year, yet he is good for a hit a game on average. Bronxpinstripes.com. Please Mr. Girardi, do not sit him vs LHP – where he is hitting north of .350. Play this guy every single day the rest of the year. Prior this last season, Suzuki only missed 16 games from 2008 – 2012.
One of the direct influences you may also find, is that Brett Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki will also have great finishes now with a stronger lineup.
All of a sudden, doors are opening up like no tomorrow for the team to compete in 2014.
With A-Rod’s deal coming off the books, the Yankees are in great shape. They will have a solid core of OF coming back with Suzuki in RF, Soriano in LF, and one more year out of Gardner.
The great thing about this for the club, is simply the payroll flexibility this will create.
Suzuki makes $6.5 MIL in 2014, then Soriano makes $5 MIL – and Gardner will probably make $5 – 7 MIL for the season based on his nice year this campaign.
Vernon Wells will be the 4th OF, and could also double for DH duties.
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I am sure that Derek Jeter will attempt to play in 2014 – regardless if he never comes back this year.. Much like Mariano Rivera, he won’t let an injury force him to retire. El Capitan will have to resort to a somewhat reduced role in 2014. Whether that means a move to 3B, part time DH duties, he will have to sacrifice some things in order to remain healthy.
If Derek Jeter takes his Player Option of $8 MIL, (which he totally should for salary positioning), the club could have their Shortstop back. With A-Rod being suspended, maybe Jeter could move to 3rd.
The biggest ramification of the A-ROD suspension will result in the franchise being able to secure Robinson Cano. It is my firm belief that he was LA Dodger bound if not for this occurrence.
The Yankees can definitely sign Cano to a $25 – 30 MIL/YR contract that he will likely receive for a 6 – 8 Year deal.
Not only that, I would also offer Curtis Granderson the 1 Year/$15 MIL qualifying offer to retrieve a Draft Pick if he signs somewhere else.
#14 will turn it down, and the club can net another sandwich pick like they added 2 this year.
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Mark Teixeira can come back and plant his usual 25 – 30 HRs and 80 – 90 RBI next year, hit in the middle of the lineup. If the rest of the offense comes back intact (minus Granderson and A-Rod), he could hit in the .240′s again, as long as the power and defense are still there.
This would not be possible because of the financial risk entailed – if they were not going to see the relief from.
With the extra $ saved, the team could also try to attract Matt Garza long – term (AL East Proven Guy), for a multiple year contract, since Andy Pettitte and Hiroki Kuroda being in their potential last years with the club.
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CC Sabathia really needs to find his form from mid – 2008, to the end of last year. His recent play has been his worst stretch since his days of playing in Cleveland.
He needs to find his form that has allowed him to be one of the best Starters in the MLB over the last 6 – 7 years.
I have seen enough progress with David Phelps and Ivan Nova to give them back – end of the rotation gigs. The Wild Card will be Michael Pineda.
Ervin Santana and Tim Lincecum may be other Starting Pitchers I would look at. If you could get “The Freak” into Yankee Stadium for a decent price, you could try him as a Starter, but also could aid the Bullpen if that doesn’t translate well.
Santana might be another option as well. The team will need to add a couple of starters to the fold next year.
For the Catching position, the club should really offer a deal to A.J. Pierzynski. New York should go after him aggressively, because he is exactly who the team should have acquired for this years team.
The organization has options now based on the club receiving “The Biggest Get Out of Jail Free Card” of ALL – Time.
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The Yankees just signed Mark Reynolds loves hitting at Yankee stadium. In 20 career games there, he has a 3 Slash Line .264/.349/.988 – with 7 HRs and 16 RBI. Reynolds could definitely help with the power dept. – and has shown a penchant for destroying baseball in the AL East – and particularly Yankee Stadium, If the 30 Year Old can show a lethal bat in the last 40 games, the franchise should also extend him for 2014. He can play 1B/3B and DH, absolutely perfect for the Yankees needs next year with A-Rod’s situation, Tex coming back from injury, and no Designated Hitter inked for the 2014 campaign.
While everything looked bleak about 2 weeks ago, the fans have something to look forward too during the final 6 weeks of the season, and going forward for 2014.
No matter what happens after next year, once the Tax Threshold his reset, the fans will ask the ownership to do ‘business as usual,’ – otherwise they might make their presence felt at the turnstiles!
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Alfonso Soriano has come full circle since he was traded to the Texas Rangers prior to the 2004 season for Alex Rodriguez. Even though the slugger authored a 40/40 season with Washington, and had several decent years in Chicago, his best play ever was for the Yankees. He knows how to win, he is a good influence in the locker room with the young guys. He can handle the bright lights of New York. I am ecstatic that he has carried himself so well thus far. Like John Sterling says though “Sorry, Alfonso is not, I am only sorry that the team picked up Wells 1st via trade and not #12. — Photo courtesy northjersey.com.
*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their partners***
Chuck Booth - Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner and author of the Fastest 30 Ballgames: To learn more about my “The Fastest 30 Ballgames Book” and how to purchase it, click here .
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Tagged: a.j. pierzynski, AL East, alex rodriguez, alfonso soriano, brett gardner, brian cashman, Chuck Booth. fastest 30 ballgames, Corey Black, david phelps, derek jeter, ichiro suzuki, jayson nix, kevin youkilis, lyle overbay, mariano rivera, mark reynolds, mark texieira, matt garza, new york yankees, robinson cano, tampa bay devil rays, travis hafner, twitter @chuckbooth3024 Image may be NSFW.
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