I did forget about the no trade clause. But I agree with everything you said. Judge cannot he feast or famine and Stanton must improve from last year(which I believe he will). You think Severino’s issues in the 2nd half came solely from tipping his pitches or do you think his stuff waned a little?

I'm not sure what it was? He may have been gassed, who knows? The first half he was utterly dominant and a Cy-Young contender. Hopefully he can continue his first half performance into 2019 for the entire year. When he's on, he's one of the best pitchers in the game.

Agreed. He’s a big key to our rotation really being something special. If Paxton can stay healthy as well as Tanaka, I think we could have one of the better rotations in the league. Still think we need one more solid starter. If they can go out and get Kluber or maybe surprise us with a top of the line starter under the radar in the trade market, that would be huge.

He'll produce, trust me. People don't realize just how hard it is for a hitter to switch leagues, it's like you're a rookie again no joke. He's a true 300/30/100 any day of the week. I expect him to be much better this year if he stays healthy and y'all know I'm not a Yankees fan, even though Mickey Mantle is my favorite player.

I hope you’re right. Definitely reassuring that you’re a big believer in him lol. I am too.

I agree if everyone stays healthy, the Yankees have one of the better rotations in the league; however, the only problem with that is the "if." I wasn't a huge fan of the Paxton trade when they made it, precisely because the guy threw a career high last year and it was only 160 1/3 innings. Plus, Tanaka might be on the shelf for a period of time which he seems to have done a few times the last few seasons (thankfully nothing major). I honestly wish they would have been able to pry Kluber or one of the other pitchers the Indians were rumored to be parting with. Kluber's an absolute stud, remains healthy, is a Cy Young contender year in and year out. He would have been a big boost for us.

In other news, Britton resigns with the Yankees for 3 years and $39 million. Glad to see them do something with the bullpen after passing over Andrew Miller and letting David Robertson depart for Philly.

I like the move. I’m not too keen on Britton but he could bounce back. I wonder if they’re still in play for Ottavino from Colorado, I doubt it. I think they still try to get Kluber, and I wasn’t a Paxton fan either. I thought them giving up Sheffield for him was a mistake. But IF Paxton is healthy then he could be pretty good for us. Injury prone but maybe he’ll stay healthy.

Ottavino should get a pretty penny this offseason, he was a solid pitcher for Colorado and deserves it. Too bad Denver won't pony up for him.

Rumor is, yes, the Yankees are still in play for Ottavino as well. I heard the Yankees might hold on to Sonny Gray into the season. They're waiting to get a timeline on CC who underwent some type of heart surgery this offseason. If he's delayed in beginning the season, the Yankees may hold on to Gray and trade him during the season. I've also heard they may just pitch him (Gray) on the road as his numbers were drastically better last year away from Yankee Stadium. Glad the Yankees aren't in a rush to trade him and flip him for nothing. Hopefully the patience pays off!

I think it will. The Yankees don’t need to get rid of him. It would just be better if they could get something for him. Worst case scenario is that he stays on the roster as an extra bullpen guy or an emergency starter. But I do think he will be moved before the season. Once machado or Harper signs I think that could open up the flood gates for some big moves to happen.

Or if worse comes to worse, they hang on to him and make him a trade deadline piece for someone who needs pitching. I love the patience being displayed by both Cashman and the Yankees and are waiting for an acceptable package.

I have been hard on the front office but I have to agree, they are handling the Sonny Gray situation correctly I believe.

CC's been cleared to resume baseball activities and the Yankees state he'll start spring training on time so that's good news at least. But I'd still continue to wait for the right deal in regards to Gray. Even if they strictly pitch him on the road, I'm in favor of that.

I hope this signing of LeMahieu doesn’t take them out of a big free agent signing. But it sure looks like it does. I hope I’m not disappointed.

I'm thinking it does. I've heard rumors that Machado might sign with the White Sox as they've offered him $300+ million. Too much money to turn down. I've also heard the Yankees haven't even made him a formal offer yet.

The Yankees have been pretty cheap. And I don’t think it’s to their benefit. Still need pitching and could use another bat that hits for average.

I don't know if they're necessarily being cheap but more smart with their money. $300 million is a huge contract. Not to mention, how many of those 10+ year contracts have actually worked out for any team in the league, not just the Yankees? Not many but yes, growing up in the age of old George, this is definitely not his team.

I don’t think Machado is getting 300. And I do think the Yankees could snag him with an opt out after 3 and a front loaded contract. I just think that if you have 2 young talents like this on the market and you can afford to get at least one of them, then why not go for it?

I agree. I would love to have Machado or Harper's bat in the lineup. However, the Yankees could be thinking long-term here. Remember Stanton's already signed to his albatross contract and he's only 4 years in to a 13-year agreement. Then the Yankees are going to need to sign Aaron Judge long-term and who knows what he'll be looking to get. That takes nothing into account of what it would cost to resign Didi and Severino to long-term deals as well. As much as I would like to add Machado or Harper, I just think the Yankees will have too many pieces coming up soon that they'll maybe want to sign to similar (i.e. $200 million+) contracts.

Good points. I think Judge will get a lot. Sanchez too but do not be surprised if they let him walk if he asks for too much. We will see with that. Would still love to see another big time bat in the lineup to really put us over the top offensively.

I agree but their problem isn't hitting, it's pitching. Plus, with Machado they're way too heavy from the right side (another reason why I wouldn't mind seeing Harper). I expect Sanchez to have a bounce back season but even with Troy and DJ taking over for Didi while he recovers, they don't have the same bat as he does either. Stanton had better bounce back this year as well and if Aaron's healthy, the lineup "should" be fine (not to mention Andujar and Glebyer in the lineup).

I agree. Another key to the lineup is Hicks. He has to be a better contact hitter if they’re really firm on him batting lead off. He gets on base but his batting average was piss poor for someone at the top of the lineup. I think they will still get another pitcher to really refine the staff. And I still have hope that they sign Harper or Machado.

LeMahieu was another good get for the Yanks, will be interesting to see how he hits outside of Denver. He's just a couple of years out from a NL batting title.

I like him. I hope it doesn’t backfire because of him playing outside of Colorado though. I wonder how that would affect Arenado’s stock if LeMahieu’s stats really take a dip.

Yankee Stadium isn't Colorado but it is a hitter friendly park. He's a slap hitter who's a great defender. Think the Yankees might have been wanting his glove more than his bat since his numbers took a pretty good dip last year. But I agree with you Revis, I'd like to see them get another arm as well. I still think they need to add to the bullpen personally. Resigning Britton isn't bad but if history has taught us anything, you can never have too much pitching.

Reports are the White Sox have offered Machado 7 years and $175. Not sure what the Phillies offered and a little surprised it hasn't got to $200 million. Looks like he and possibly Harper will have to take what they can get; and while they're at it, forget those dreams of a $300 or $400 million contract.

This is good news for all Yankee fans who want Machado or Harper. Most likely Machado. I was shocked at that offer personally.

LeMahieu said he was told to bring “a lot of gloves”. Meaning he’ll play multiple positions which makes sense since he’s pretty versatile.

It wouldn't affect Arenado. He's going to get the big bucks and deserves it. Last year I think it was he hit more than half his homeruns on the road instead of at Denver. I expect that trend keeps up this year as well.

Speaking of which, the Yankees got Adam Ottavino at 3 years for $27 million. Glad they fortified their bullpen by resigning Britton and now adding Ottavino.