I used to work for a guy who said real Yankees unbutton the top button of their jersey cause that’s what the Mick did. Always think of that when I see Matt Holliday who often has the top few buttons of his jersey undone. As the Winter Meetings kick off news is the Yanks have signed the big fella. He’ll look good in pinstripes. Now, here is hoping the Yanks steer clear of Encarnacion.
Picture by Bags
Signing Encarnacion to what he wants at this point would be a Dodgers move, I can see them doing it for no reason except that they can. Though you have to admit he'd be sick in Texas with Beltre and Odor. Unless Ortiz talks him into it, I'm not sure he wants any part of Boston. So I'm gonna predict either Toronto or Texas.
He seems like a bloated version of Ellsbury in that he is just the best of what is available but reeks of longterm disaster. Who knows? Maybe I am completely off. But I don't trust it.
A one year deal is never bad. No sequels unless they win an award. EE can go to Westworld for all I care.
Right, I'm definitely not advocating for Encarnacion being here, it would be an about-face from their current strategy and would not likely go over well with half the organization, never mind the fans who actually follow the season. Frankly, I wasn't in on Beltran either, I thought they got lucky in his walk year and he'll revert to trend next season. The same might go for Holliday, but this time they're playing it safe. Hope his thumb Is in good working order; he's actually a good hitter when he's healthy.
Holliday sounds like a meh deal. Competent middle of the order bat to fill out the lineup for a year is fine, but it doesn't move the needle for me. And I'd stay away from EE or Joey Bats, I'd rather develop younger guys.
I'm good with Holliday signing. I think he will perform to par and provide some protection behind Sanchez or whomever. I definitely have felt we needed a veteran bat with the potential to hit for a solid average in the middle of the lineup. This meets that need.
For me the merit of the Holliday deal has less to do with how well he'll perform than with the term of the contract.
If the perceived need is a little veteran production while the younger players establish themselves, the old Yankees would have addressed that need by giving someone a foolish seven-year deal.
Holliday could screw up lots of ways for a single year and have me shrug it off. From that POV this is mostly upside.
Supposedly Bryce Harper is seeking 10 years, $400 million. Not my money, but I'd think about biting, it would encompass his 26 - 35 years.
Nah. Because how will you pay Sanchez and the rest if they meet or exceed expectations before their walk years? If Harper puts them over the top, I'd consider 5-7 with options the rest of the way, but $40 mil per is straight up insanity. He'll probably only be worth that for about a third of the way.
Harper hit 24 homers this year. Didi hit over 20. Big money for four more.
[8] I don't see Harper being worth anywhere near those figures. He is not the second coming of Christ or Mike Trout.
In 2015, of course, he had an unreal season, and was near the top in most categories (avg., obp., 42 HRs, 124 BBs, etc.) but only stole 6 bases, for some reason.
He's only played 150 games once.
Sure, he is still developing, but he's really only had one "great" year.
ESPN is saying, "Yankees are in on Chapman." Sounds good. It will be fun to watch it play out, anyway.
Damn, the shit sox got Sale.