What Does the Chase Headley Trade Mean for the Yankees ?

The Yankees traded Chase Headley and Bryan Mitchell to the Padres for Jabari Blash. The Yankees pretty much traded Headley so they didn't have to pay his contract this season. This gives the Yankees even more money to spend and flexibility while staying under the tax threshold.

This deal for the Yankees could mean a few things for third base. The Yankees can explore trading for Manny Machado which is unlikely at this point. They can explore signing another slugger in Mike Moustakas who had his best pro year last year. The Yankees will also explore resigning Todd Frazier. Frazier would be perfect on a 1 year deal. Many sources say he wants a multi year deal which the Yankees should avoid. A one year deal for Frazier would be ideal. Frazier has a very good glove and fit in well in the clubhouse. He also has some power. The trade could also open the door for Miguel Andujar or Tyler Wade. Trading Headley also gives the Yankees some more spending in starting pitching.

Giancarlo Stanton to the Yankees

Giancarlo Stanton was traded to the New York Yankees today. Unfortunately Starlin Castro was traded but it was a move the Yankees were smart to make. They trade Castro as their main piece and two prospects who are a long way away. The Yankees just added a man who hit 59 homers to an already dangerous lineup. Aaron Judge , Gary Sanchez , Greg Bird and Didi Gregorious teamed up with Giancarlo Stanton is as dangerous as it gets. We will continue to discuss this throughout the offseason.

Aaron Boone the New Yankee is Ready for the Challenge

Aaron Boone said his juices were flowing today in his press conference and now so are mine. All Yankee fans should be excited.

Aaron Boone was introduced today as Yankee manager. Boone is most famous for his walk off home run in game 7 of the ALCS in 2003. He leaves the broadcast booth and is now back on the diamond. He showed energy, intelligence and passion in today's interview. He came off as a manager who will focus on having a great relationship with his players. Boone will be able to balance the old eye test and the new analytics way of thinking. He stressed that today and that's very important.

Aaron Boone hasn't coached or managed but he's been around baseball since he's a baby. His family is a baseball family and he's been in dugouts his whole life. Aaron Boone seems like a manager who will be very open with players and the media.

Boone will be expected to bring the Yankees back to a deep playoff run. His learning curve will be in spring training. Boone seems like he will be up for the challenge. He could be the guy to lead the Yankees back to the World Series.

Aaron Boone the New Man in Charge

Aaron Boone is the new manager for the Yankees. It was announced Friday night but made official today. Boone is most famous for hitting the walkoff home run in the 2003 ALCS game 7 against the Red Sox. Boone brings a new look to a young team. Boone will be expected to learn on the job and win right away. The Yankees made it to game 7 of the ALCS last year and some expect them to go to the World Series this season.

Joe Girardi is Out as Manager

After ten years and one World Series championship Joe Girardi is out as Yankee manager. The move was surprising to many. People assumed if he left it would be because he wanted to be with his family. Instead he leaves because Brian Cashman wants to look in a new direction.

It's simple GM, Brian Cashman wants someone who he can pay less and will listen more. Cashman wants someone who is more inclined to analytics. He wants someone who will manage but at the same time allow Cashman to have say in who plays.

Joe Girardi finished over 500 every year as the Yankee manager. He was a good manager and had a strong career. It would have been fine to bring Girardi back. However it's not a huge thing that he's not coming back. His contract was up and the Yankees obviously felt it was time. Being that Girardi was overachieving I would have brought him back. I don't think this will have a negative or a positive impact on the team. The Yankees will be an elite team in 2018 regardless of the manager.

The Yankees Impending Free Agents

The Yankees Free Agents (who stays and goes)

Brian Cashman (GM) - Brian Cashman has been one of baseballs best GM's. You can say he gave out some bad contracts but the Yankees have the finances to do that so it doesn't matter. He has given plenty of great deals also. Cashman turned the Yankees farm system around restocking it with guys like Gleyber Torres , Clint Frazier , Justus Sheffield and a whole bunch of other home grown studs. The Yankees will almost definitely keep Cashman as the GM and they should.

Joe Girardi (Manager ) - Girardi has been the Yankees manager since 2008. He won the title in 2009. Girardi often gets criticized for over managing or relying to much on his binder for making decisions. The truth is Girardi isn't perfect but he is a good manager. Girardi had his team over achieve in 2017. He is good with the young players. I believe the Yankees keep Girardi.

CC Sabathia (Starting Pitcher) - Sabathia turned back the clock in 2017. He was 10-1 following Yankee loses and came up clutch all season. Sabathia went 14-5 with a 3.69 era in the regular season. Sabathia still has knee issues that remain a concern. If I'm the Yankees I resign CC to a one year deal for about $10 million. Sabathia is effective and is great for the young players. He also brings needed depth to the Yankees.

Matt Holliday (DH) - Holliday had a great first half for the Yankees but a virus and other injuries derailed his season. Holliday started just one playoff game for the Yankees. He had a big homer of Craig Kimbrel and walk off homer against the Orioles. Holliday was a great mentor to Aaron Judge and has been a great player in his career. The Yankees will move on from Matt Holliday. I would not bring Holliday back.

Michael Pineda ( Starting Pitcher) - Pineda has had a strange career. He has great stuff but has always battled injuries and inconsistent play. Pineda was having a good season before Tommy John surgery ended his year. Pineda will likely be out for most of next year. If I'm the Yankees I think I bring him back for the league minimum it can't hurt. He will be rehabbing all season. Ultimately I think the Yankees let him leave. Another team will likely sign him as a reclamation project.

Jaime Garcia (starting pitcher) - Garcia was one of the Yankees midseason trade acquisitions. Garcia was mostly ineffective but was just some needed depth towards the end of the season. Garcia was good in relief in his only playoff appearance. I think the Yankees will let Garcia sign somewhere else.

Todd Frazier (third base) - The president of the thumbs down club was a huge success as a Yankee. His numbers may not show it but he provided some huge clutch playoff hits and was great in the Yankee clubhouse. I love Todd Frazier and what he brings to a baseball team but I think the Yankees won't resign him. They have Gleyber Torres , Miguel Andujar and Chase Headley. They are trying to get under the tax threshold. It's possibly that Frazier comes back on a 1 year deal but unfortunately for him third base is the teams most crowded position.

Mashario Tanaka (starting pitcher) (Can opt out of contract) - So many questions surround Tanaka. Will he opt out or stay under his current deal ? If he opts out will the Yankees resign him? Tanaka had his worst year as a pro as his era was in the mid 4's however his playoff era was under 2 and he was the Yankees playoff ace. Tanaka is due to make upwards of $20 million next season and with his elbow concerns I think he will ultimately stay a Yankee. If he opts out i think the Yankees resign him to an extension fair for both parties.

Recap

Resign- Cashman , Girardi , Sabathia , Tanaka

Leave via free agency - Holliday , Frazier , Pineda , Garcia

Thank you fans and Season Recap

Thank you to the Yankees for an incredible season and especially thank you to all the people who follow me and @bombersbeat my partner in crime. This was our third season having a Yankee account and although our first season in 2015 will always be special this year was the best. We gained a lot of knew followers and had so much fun. Thank you to the Yankees for an incredible year. Think of this year as 1995. They have a chance to start a knew dynasty with this core. It was a devastating way to go out tonight but championship days are ahead for this group. The Yankees coming out party has just begun. Again thank you to the Yankees and thank you to all our followers who made this fun. We will be with you guys all winter talking about what's next. Feel free to follow my personal account @petervitella also and follow my partner in crime @wstobin2. Thank you guys again for an incredible year. That's a wrap on the 2017 Yankees it was an incredible ride. Follow @bomberbeat2 and @bombersbeat in the offseason and chat with us all winter.
#pinstripepride #thankyou

Now for the season recap. Many didn't expect the Yankees to be a playoff team and they made it all the way to game 7 of the ALCS. The Baby Bombers were led by Aaron Judge , Gary Sanchez and Luis Severino. Greg Bird battled injuries but had an excellent end to the season and playoff run. CC Sabathia turned back the clock and was the Yankees stopper all season.

The Yankees made some big trades acquiring Sonny Gray from the Athletics and Todd Frazier , Tommy Kahnle and David Robertson from the White Sox. All of these guys will be back in 2017 with the exception of Frazier. He is a free agent and it remains to be seen if the Yankees resign him.

The Yankees future is bright. They took the Astros to 7 games in the ALCS. They came so close in what many called a rebuilding year. Aaron Judge is a lock to win the Rookie of the Year and has a great shot at the MVP also. Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorius had even better seasons than in 2016. Things are very bright for the Yankees moving forward.