BREAKING NEWS: Yankees acquire LHP Aroldis Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds for 4 prospects.
The New York Yankees have acquired flame-thrower Aroldis Chapman from the Reds for 4 minor league prospects: Rookie Davis, Eric Jagielo, Caleb Cotham and Tony Renda. Davis and Jagielo are regarded as Top 15 to 20 prospects in the Yankees organization. Gotham, 28, was likely thrown in to add "quantity" to the trade.
This trade bolsters the Yankees bullpen, giving them a Big-3 of Delin Betances, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman. The acquisition of Chapman will add a left-handed arm which will replace the loss of the Justin Wilson trade to Detroit. The Yankees are likely to keep Andrew Miller, who has been on the trading block for most of 2015-2016 offseason.
I believe the Yankees will continue to listen to offers for Gardner and Ivan Nova and possibly create a package deal for the two, if the right offer presents itself.
This trade bolsters the Yankees bullpen, giving them a Big-3 of Delin Betances, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman. The acquisition of Chapman will add a left-handed arm which will replace the loss of the Justin Wilson trade to Detroit. The Yankees are likely to keep Andrew Miller, who has been on the trading block for most of 2015-2016 offseason.
I believe the Yankees will continue to listen to offers for Gardner and Ivan Nova and possibly create a package deal for the two, if the right offer presents itself.
Why the Yankees need Mark Teixeira back in 2016, and have Greg Bird ready for 2017 and beyond:
Teixeira after hitting a game-tying home run in Yankee Stadium.
2015 seemed to be the comeback year for Mark Teixeira. In only 111 games, the first baseman hit 31 home runs and drove in 79 RBIs. The Yankees lineup was scoring runs left and right, and the heart of the batting order felt almost like 2009 World Series team.
Teixeira's season was cut short again last year due to a fractured bone in his right leg. The Yankees lineup was not the same after Teixeira left. After the All-Star break, the Yankees barely outscored their opponents and played .500 baseball until the Wild-Card game. Teixeira's absence in the lineup makes the Yankees lesser of a threat to opposing pitchers.
Teixeira was replaced by minor league prospect Greg Bird (age 23). Bird played great as a rookie, and exceeded expectations. However, Bird lacks the experience and stellar defense Teixeira provides on a daily basis. This is the final year of Teixeira's monster 8-year contract (signed in 2009). Perhaps playing side-by-side with Tex this season will allow bird to grow as an athlete, and prepare him to claim the starter's job in 2017. Bird will be going on his age 25 season in 2017, and will be on the cusps of entering the prime of his career.
In 2017, the Yankees will have a very youthful team. Here is the 2017 Projected Starting Lineup and Ages:
1. *CF Jacoby Ellsbury (33)
2. **LF Brett Gardner (33)
3. 1B Greg Bird (25)
4. ***C Brian McCann (33)
5. DH Alex Rodriguez (41)
6. RF Aaron Judge (24)
7. Chase Headley (32)
8. SS Didi Gregorius (27)
9. 2B Starlin Castro (28)
*Jacoby Ellsbury: I personally believe Ellsbury will be moved by 2017 or will not be a starter. I believe Mason Williams (24) will eventually replace Ellsbury, after playing well in his short rookie season in 2015.
**Brett Gardner: may be traded this offseason and can be replaced by Slade Heathcote or Dustin Fowler.
***Brian McCann: Gary Sanchez sits as the Yankees 5th best prospect. He may be making his way to the Major League Roster before McCann's contract is up.
Teixeira's season was cut short again last year due to a fractured bone in his right leg. The Yankees lineup was not the same after Teixeira left. After the All-Star break, the Yankees barely outscored their opponents and played .500 baseball until the Wild-Card game. Teixeira's absence in the lineup makes the Yankees lesser of a threat to opposing pitchers.
Teixeira was replaced by minor league prospect Greg Bird (age 23). Bird played great as a rookie, and exceeded expectations. However, Bird lacks the experience and stellar defense Teixeira provides on a daily basis. This is the final year of Teixeira's monster 8-year contract (signed in 2009). Perhaps playing side-by-side with Tex this season will allow bird to grow as an athlete, and prepare him to claim the starter's job in 2017. Bird will be going on his age 25 season in 2017, and will be on the cusps of entering the prime of his career.
In 2017, the Yankees will have a very youthful team. Here is the 2017 Projected Starting Lineup and Ages:
1. *CF Jacoby Ellsbury (33)
2. **LF Brett Gardner (33)
3. 1B Greg Bird (25)
4. ***C Brian McCann (33)
5. DH Alex Rodriguez (41)
6. RF Aaron Judge (24)
7. Chase Headley (32)
8. SS Didi Gregorius (27)
9. 2B Starlin Castro (28)
*Jacoby Ellsbury: I personally believe Ellsbury will be moved by 2017 or will not be a starter. I believe Mason Williams (24) will eventually replace Ellsbury, after playing well in his short rookie season in 2015.
**Brett Gardner: may be traded this offseason and can be replaced by Slade Heathcote or Dustin Fowler.
***Brian McCann: Gary Sanchez sits as the Yankees 5th best prospect. He may be making his way to the Major League Roster before McCann's contract is up.