Bronx Bomber Ball

News broke today from Padres’ reporter Dennis Lin of the Athletic that the San Diego Padres are interested in acquiring Indians’ RHP Corey Kluber. This makes sense as the Padres have a plethora of young talent to deal, but also a strong core of players they can build around. However, there is a twist. The report of the Padres’ interest also included that the Padres would be interested in flipping him for a third baseman to anchor their infield. Kluber would instantly help the Friars, but with his window of solid years left closing, the match is not perfect.   Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Yankees have reached an agreement with free agent infielder DJ LeMahieu, according to multiple reports. The reported contract is for two years and $24 million. LeMahieu, who won a batting title in 2016 and Gold Gloves in 2014, 2017 and 2018, has spent the majority of his career with the Colorado Rockies. Source confirms: Free-agent second baseman DJ LeMahieu heading to #Yankees on two-year deal. Believed to be in $24M range. First reported: @JackCurryYES . — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 11, 2019 The Yankees plan to use LeMahieu as a versatile player around the infield. They will use him at second base, first base and third base. — Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) January 11, 2019

The Yankees’ offseason started in October. While that’s only two months ago, to Yankees fans, it feels as though it’s been longer. Why? I can’t speak for all Yankees fans, but based on my own feelings as well as what I’ve read on Yankees Twitter and heard from angry callers on WFAN… it’s safe to say that we’re losing confidence in our front office. And the buck stops with Brian Cashman. Photo Credit: SportingNews

It’s no secret the Yankees happen to be targeting a middle infielder this offseason. Following a visit to Yankee Stadium earlier this week, Manny Machado is the number one priority in the Bronx as it stands. There is, however, another intriguing option on the market who shares the position with one Johnny Hustle himself: Troy Tulowitzki. Photo Credit: Peter G. Aiken/USA TODAY Sports

In the wake of sought-after free agent pitcher Patrick Corbin signing with the Washington Nationals today, the Yankees need to pivot quickly, and the best option might just come in the form of an old friend.   Photo Credit: Adam Hunger/USA TODAY Sports Nathan Eovaldi, after being acquired by the Boston Red Sox this past Summer, put the entirety of his skillset on display as he was a key cog in the Red Sox’s rotation as they went on to win the World Series.   After being acquired from Tampa Bay at the non-waiver trade deadline in July, Eovaldi went 3-3 in 12 games (11 starts) with a 3.33 ERA.   Where he shined the most, however, was in the postseason. In his first ever career postseason start, against our New York Yankees no less, Eovaldi dazzled over seven innings of one run ball.   He would make another start in the ALCS against the Astros, again picking up the win over six strong innings, allowing only two runs, before making four rel...

I cannot count the number of times I tweeted about the Yankees and their problem with RISP and situational offense over the course of the 2018 season. Of course, the Yankees won 100 games on the regular season, and that statistic is nothing to sniff at. They also claimed the single-season home run record. And that’s great. Photo Credit: Getty Images

There’s no easy way to answer this question. Or, rather, there’s no one answer. The surrounding factors change, creating different situations and, as such, different fits -- both from a financial and from a team standpoint. A case can be made to bring back either of these free agents, or both of them, or… neither. But it’s almost impossible to make a blanket answer that fits in every possible scenario. Photo Credit: Elsa/Getty Images

The scene was set for the young budding Bomber squad last fall after finishing their season a game away from a World Series berth. They were the team that arrived a year too early, and another deep playoff run would be the goal, but then an old friend threw a wrench in those plans. Derek Jeter put gargantuan slugger Giancarlo Stanton on the market, and Stanton dictated his transfer with a full no-trade clause. The Giants and Cardinals among others threw their name into the ring, but who did he choose? The Yankees and Dodgers, it seemed to be a battle of baseballs powerhouses, but the Yankees had an advantage over their former neighbors, payroll flexibility. They were able to use this into an absolute steal of the reigning NL MVP, and the Yankees were thrust into a world series or bust year. The season was historic, they set the season home run record without Gary Sanchez, Didi Gregorius, Greg Bird, and Aaron Judge for most if not all of the year, but it ended in a bust at the hands of...

The speculation started during the regular season, even prior to his trade from the Baltimore Orioles to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Where would Manny Machado go upon his free agency at the end of the 2018 regular season? And, with that, which teams would be knocking on his door? No sooner did the Yankees’ regular season come to a close after their fated ending in the American League Division Series, the talks of Machado coming to the Bronx took off as though pushed by a speeding 4 Train behind Yankee Stadium. The truth of the matter is that the rumors started even prior to Machado’s free agency being on the horizon -- they started at the trade deadline . Photo Credit: USA Today Sports

Despite the All-Star game shenanigans that included a selfie with Chapman, Torres, and Severino, a viral GIF of Machado looking at Gleyber Torres’ phone, and Machado’s nephew saying on live television that he’d like to see his uncle on the Yankees, Jon Heyman reported moments ago that Manny Machado is close to being traded, but not to the Bronx Bombers. The deal is supposed to occur after tomorrow’s All-Star Game, which will likely be Machado’s last game in an Orioles uniform.   Photo Credit: Sporting News

As the annual trade deadline looms near, the Yankees are reportedly “making a strong push” for superstar shortstop/third baseman Manny Machado, Jon Heyman of Fan Cred Sports reported.   Photo Credit: NYDN

Yankee fans are used to having an embarrassment of riches on their roster. Brian Cashman added Giancarlo Stanton to an already stacked outfield over the 2017 offseason via trade, and the Yankees’ bullpen has four or five pitchers that could be closers on other teams. Where the team needs depth badly is in the starting rotation. However, despite this obvious need in improvement, the Yankees have been reported to be a player in the Manny Machado sweepstakes. To many, this makes zero sense. Miguel Andujar is a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year in the American League and Didi Gregorius is having another solid season in the Bronx and is vital to the team’s chemistry. The answer to why the Yankees would even consider upgrading their infield lies in the fact that the market for a top-of-the-rotation arm is simply scarce.   Photo Credit: NY Post

The Yankees dropped yet another game to the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night, 6-5. The returning Masahiro Tanaka faced-off against Andrew  Cashner . Tanaka made his first start since June 8th when he strained both of his hamstrings while running the bases against the Mets. This matchup came with an interesting statistic: for pitchers with at least 10 starts, Tanaka ranked second in the MLB in run support (13 starts; 6.54 runs per game), while  Cashner  ranked dead last (17 starts; 2.59 runs per game). The game began as a pitcher’s duel, with no scoring through the first three innings. In fact,  Cashner  was perfect through the first four. The first runs came with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning. After Mark Trumbo struck out and Jonathan  Schoop  flied out to left field, Chris Davis singled, Trey Mancini walked and Joey Rickard hit a two-run double down the left field line.  Credit: NY Post The Yankees finally showed some...

Following a series win against Toronto, the Yankees will face off against the Orioles in a four game series between division foes. The series will feature four games in three days, including a double header on July 9 to make up for a June matchup which was postponed due to inclement weather. The Yankees and Orioles haven’t faced off since June 2 and since that game the Orioles have only won seven games. The Yankees since that game have won twenty one games, tripling the Orioles total in that span. The Orioles are the division’s cellar dwellers and, frankly, the Yankees should easily take at least three games in this series and try to continue keeping pace with the Red Sox for the division lead.

On the heels of an impressive  4-1 win  last night, the Yankees took the field again this afternoon at Camden Yards seeking their fourth straight win.  The Yankees and Orioles were delayed almost two full hours at the start of this one due to rain, but when the game finally began it was Masahiro Tanaka vs. Kevin Gausman.   With a win, coupled with a Boston loss at Houston, the Yankees could recapture sole possession of first place by night's end.   Miguel Andujar and Giancarlo Stanton provided early offense, Hicks added three hits and the Yankees' bullpen  was  strong in relief of Tanaka  en  route to an 8-5 victory.     Photo Credit: Gail Burton/AP Photo

The Yankees entered action today at 4-4, on the heels of a brutal 14-inning loss last night that also saw them lose both starting pitcher CC  Sabathia  (hip strain) as well as starting third baseman Brandon Drury (migraines, blurred vision) to the disabled list.  Today's pitching matchup pitted Sonny Gray against Baltimore right hander Chris Tillman. The New York offense had struggled to generate much over the first two games of this series against Baltimore and that trend continued for much of the day today, however, they were able to break out late to pave the way to  an 8-3 victory.     Photo Credit: Julie Jacobson/AP

Bronx Bomber Babble podcast episode number two is here! Luigi, Nick, and Andrew discuss Andujar's hot start, Gary's place among best MLB catchers, possible trades for Archer and Machado, pace of play and other topics in tonight's episode.

The Yankees wasted no time dumping salary in wake of the trade for Giancarlo Stanton, departing with second baseman Starlin Castro (Miami) and Chase Headley (San Diego). Castro will be making $10M in 2018 with the Marlins, while Headley will be making $13M in 2018 with the Padres. Dumping these two contracts offset the cost of Giancarlo Stanton, but it also leaves two holes at 2B and 3B. Read who will take over second base here  , and continue reading to see the Yankees options for third base in 2018. Within the organization, the Yankees have some young, talented infielders. The most experienced being Ronald Torreyes, but he’s proven to be a very valuable bench piece as a utility player, and I’d imagine that role would continue for him in 2018, that is if he doesn’t win the starting second base job. Essentially, Torreyes, Gleyber Torres, Tyler Wade, and Miguel Andujar are fairly interchangeable pieces between 2B and 3B. Miguel Andujar, however, seems that he would stay at 3B d...