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VF314 Live Chat - 12/22/2021
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Derek
12:02
Hey everyone, let's get started. Bunch of questions already in the queue to sift through.
David Williams
12:02
Gleyber seems to be in a better headspace when he's at 2B. Is there a good chance he bounces back offensively if he sticks at second all season? Is the gap big enough to live with a weak bat at short?
Derek
12:04
He certainly hit better down the stretch after the switch, but let's also keep in mind that he finished strong offensively at SS in 2020 too. I don't necessarily think it's a position thing. In any case - no way I'm putting him back at shortstop. He can't do it defensively.
Duffy
12:04
I know most Yankees fans don’t think 3B is a place to upgrade, but Jose Ramirez is everything the lineup so badly needs. With the Guardians poised to take another step back do you think JRam could be moved? What would it take and how do they get Bieber as well?
Derek
12:06
I don't recall hearing/reading any substantial JRam rumors before the lockout other than speculation. He's on such a cheap deal through 2023, I believe. I can't see him being moved, especially as new ownership comes in that may be willing to spend more.
12:07
And I highly doubt there's a package that gets Ramirez and Bieber.
Mike F
12:07
Who is one under the radar starter that you can see be moved to give the Yankees more of an ability to upgrade the team (i.e. Not Voit or even Hicks)? I could easily see them moving Gio or even Gallo (less likely) to give them a chance to upgrade first or third, especially if they really do plan to go with a stop-gap SS and the A's are asking for too much for Olson.
Derek
12:08
I honestly wouldn't be surprised if anyone, sans Judge/Stanton, got traded. Seems like everyone is on the table.
UnnamedSource
12:08
Do you or your readers have any insight into the nature or extent of Stephen Ridings' injury?  Ridings last pitched as a Covid replacement player for the Yankees on 8/15/21. He was then sent back to SWB.  He did not, however, pitch for SWB for the rest of the season.  On 8/23/21, he was placed on the SWB injured list.  On 9/3/21, Conor Foley, among others, reported that Ridings had "played catch."  The injury was described by various unofficial sources as "unspecified," "an elbow injury," and as "he blew out his elbow."  Obviously, the Yankees determined that he was worth a 40-man roster space on 11/19/21.  I realize that the Yankees cannot comment on a player on the 40-man after the lockout, but the Yankees and Ridings were ominously quiet about Ridings' injury prior to the lockout.  In the absence of information, I am sure that all of us want what is best for Ridings' health and safety, but it sure would be nice if someone could give us some good news whenever it is available.
Derek
12:10
No idea unfortunately. They kept things pretty close to the vest, especially because he was off the 40-man. You rarely hear about minor league injury details.
In Cashman we trust
12:10
The Padres have extra catchers which one should we try for and what would it cost?
Derek
12:10
Nola, Caratini, and Alfaro are the guys you're talking about, I assume. Only Nola is any good, so him?
Sam
12:11
Do you think the lockout makes it into February or does it get wrapped up in January?
Derek
12:12
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
JK
12:12
Does player performance decline after they sign a “huge” contract? (let’s say 40M+, since this is still a massive amount of money for a normal human, and lets the Sevy extension be our floor). Is there research around this / is it possible to differentiate from age related decline? I’m not pro owner and don’t care about owners’ money, but I still wonder about the efficacy of signing mlb veterans. Thanks.
Derek
12:13
I suspect this is a self fulfilling prophecy because most players don't get to sign big deals until they are approaching or entering decline years (i.e. their 30s). It's perfect ammo for owners.
Jeb
12:14
Assuming the Yankees don't sign Correa or Story, what would be your preferred course of action?
Derek
12:15
I suggested trading for JP Crawford last week, so sure let's go with that. Otherwise, I guess Jose Iglesias in FA? Definitely not Simmons.
Sam
12:16
What are the odds the yankees have a trade more or less lined up and is just waiting for the lockout to end?
Derek
12:18
I'm sure they have frameworks or discussions of trades with other teams to build off of once this ends. It's not like they went into this blind. We're going to see a lot happen in a short window whenever this happens though.
Rich
12:19
Do you feel that Cash is posturing about the degree of confidence the Yanks have in Volpe and Peraza, relative to the free agent targets (e.g., 'stopgap')?  i have a feeling he is...
Derek
12:20
It doesn't hurt to say those things in public, but they also love those two (especially Volpe). Listen, Correa is going to get 300M+ regardless of what Cashman says. Just matters who will pony up.
Jeb
12:22
Who replaces Gary behind the plate in 2023?
Derek
12:23
So hard to answer this. Willson Contreras is a free agent...so him?
12:25
Omar Narvaez might actually be interesting too.
Gibbs
12:25
Are the yankees taking a big chance by not protecting Josh Breaux fron the rule 5 ?
Derek
12:26
No. He's big raw power but lacks plate discipline, and his catching is questionable. I think he's a bit more advanced than Torrens was a few years ago, but Torrens was a much more highly regarded prospect.
Anthony
12:27
Any interest in Conforto?
Derek
12:28
Yes, but that probably necessitates another move unless you're willing to make Gallo/Judge the everyday CFer.
In Cashman we trust
12:28
Which player or players making over 7 figures this year is/ are most likely to be traded?
Derek
12:28
Britton.
12:29
They were trying to move his salary before the lockout.
Jack
12:29
A lot of Yankees fans (and generally baseball fans) complain about strikeouts. But this year seemed to be we struck out a lot AND didn't hit for the usual power, even Gallo. I'm OK with strikeouts as long as it has power. Do you think that one-dimensional talk will quiet down if Gleyber & Gallo revert back and hit more home runs?
Derek
12:31
The bigger issues were the lack of power and tons of DPs. The strikeouts just made things look uglier, but weren't the root issue. So yes.
Jeff
12:32
How would you grade an off-season in which the Yankees sign Story, resign Rizzo and resign Gardner?
Derek
12:33
Probably a C. It passes for me because Story is legitimately good and they badly need a shortstop, but the rest is underwhelming.
Jeb
12:34
What do you think Voit could get back in a trade if the universal DH is implemented? Anything more than lottery tickets + salary relief?
Derek
12:35
Very little. He's just hurt too much. Maybe some international bonus money (depending on the new CBA rules) or some low level prospects.
Going to need more questions in the queue to make this a full hour, everyone.
Jeb
12:36
Let's say the Yankees have a deal in place for Olson that they can't announce.  What's your best guess at what's realistic? Can it get done without any of Peraza/Volpe/Jasson?
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