Ok, I know this is going to be a daily blog, but I have missed the last two days. I was without my computer for a few days and typing on your phone is very difficult. So I will make it up with double blogs later this week. I am working on an article about Lindor’s contract, and I want to write a little about the Angels.
Now, onto today’s blog
GARY SANCHEZ
I will write in full detail later this week on Gary, but everyone I talk to about the Yankees knows my thoughts. Trade him. Yes, I know he has hit the most home runs by a catcher since 2018, but that isn’t everything. A catcher’s main job is catching, and we know that Sanchez will not be a defensive replacement for anyone. The people who defend him say that his only two bad seasons were during COVID-19 and when he was hurt. And I agree, Gary has upside that very few people had, but after the last two seasons, I don’t see a better time to trade him.
Listen, Gary is going to ask for a lot of money. A LOT. Especially if he has a great season in 2021. Basically, the Yankees will be stuck with a couple of options:
1) Gary does good and asks for a lot of money. The Yankees choose not to sign him and lose on the chance that they could have gotten high value in return.
2) Gary does good and asks for a lot of money. The Yankees choose to sign him and give up the chance to sign Gleybar Torres to a long term contract. Let’s be real, the Yankees are going to resign Aaron Judge, and already holding a huge contract with Stanton, the Yankees can’t afford to sign both Sanchez and Torres to a long-term, high value contract. It might come down to Sanchez vs. Torres, and I think the Yankees should stay with Torres.
3) Gary does bad. If Gary does play bad again, the Yankees lose a lot of trade value with him. Three straight seasons where he struggles would not look great to another team. In this case, the Yankees could hope to resign him for a smaller contract, and hope he gets his game up to elite levels. Then it would be great.
I’m not a Gary hater, his upside is great and he has a great power bat. I just think the Yankees are in a good position to trade him.
MORE NEW PLAYERS
Time to talk about some debuts.
Ben Bowden, Colorado
The former Vanderbilt lefty is the 24th Commodore to make the league since David Price made his debut. Bowden was a second round pick in 2016, and was very good in the minor leagues. He made his debut on April 2nd, throwing 1 1/3 innings and giving up 3 hits and an earned run while striking out 2.
Chris Rodriguez, Angels
The Angels need pitching to complete a tough lineup and Rodriguez could be the rookie to help. He was a 4th round pick in 2016 and is the 6th high school pitcher from the draft class to play in the big leagues. He has pitched just 77+ innings of pro ball, but he looks to help Los Angeles’ bullpen. He made his debut on April 2nd against the White Sox, throwing 2 innings and giving up 2 hits and no runs while also having 2 strikeouts.
Jordan Sheffield, Colorado
Another pitcher for Colorado, Sheffield is another Commodore pitching for the Rockies. He closed the April 2nd loss, throwing 1 inning without any stats.
José Rojas, Angles
A Juco guy and an NAIA player?! Rojas might have just became a favorite of any small school baseball player. He played on April 2nd, and struck out in a pinch hit appearance.
Kohei Arihara, Texas
Arihara was a Rookie of the Year in Japan, and signed a 2-year, $6.2 million dollar contract with the Rangers. He is sure to help the staff in Texas and could be one of the top pitchers in the AL West someday. He made the start against the Royals on April 3rd, throwing 5 innings and gave up 3 earned runs on 6 hits and a strike out.
Trevor Stephan, Cleveland
Another Juco guy from Hill JC in Texas, he played at Arkansas before becoming a 3rd round pick in 2017. A bullpen arm for now, Stephan threw 1 inning against the Tigers on April 3rd, walking one and gave up one hit while striking out 2 in the 9th.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Ok, we will talk more debuts in the big leagues in tonight’s blog, and then I want to talk about the Angels as well. Until then, I hope you have a good afternoon.