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VF314 Live Chat - 12/29/2021
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Derek
12:01
Hi everyone. Give me just another minute and we'll get started.
Jack R
12:02
I saw Volpe interviewed on David Cone's podcast.  He was very impressive.  I can see why the Yankees would go for a stopgap at SS.  This kid carries himself like a future superstar.  Could we see him maybe in September?
Derek
12:03
I haven't seen the interview yet, but there is an outside chance we see Volpe before the end of 2022. I'm not sure where the Yankees will start him next year, but Double-A seems possible. He completely destroyed A-ball and High-A.
Jonas
12:04
Any cheap, interesting free agent relievers you would target to solidify the back of the bullpen? Such as what Day and Wilson were expected to be last year.
Derek
12:05
I think Steve Cishek could be interesting as a low cost option. Fits that sinkerballer type that the Yankees have clearly grown to like. Plus his motion is a little funky, which would go along with the Ottavino/O'Day stuff the team has wanted in the pen the last few years.
JE
12:06
Do you think a different approach to the bullpen is necessary? Spending 30 m on Britton and Chapman seems excessive when ownership is imposing restrictions.
Derek
12:08
Yes and I think we're already seeing the team start to move in this direction. I don't think Britton or Chapman will be on the team in 2023, and they're going to groom Loaisiga for the closer role while hoping the likes of Holmes et. al. can blossom in to cheap late innings guys.
Bart
12:08
Do you think GM's and owners are talking trades behind the curtains and there will be a flood of activity once the CBA is signed?
Derek
12:09
I don't know, but there's no way they're not talking, right? A flood of activity really depends on when the lockout ends. If we're talking mid to late February, then yeah, probably.
Tim
12:10
What do you make of Oswaldo Cabrera for 2022?  He played all over the infield and has shown the same power/contact improvements that we've seen out of the other shortstops in the org.
Derek
12:11
He's flying under the radar a little bit IMO. I don't know what kind of defender he is, but the power is legit. He's always had the high exit velos but the power started showing up in games this year.
12:12
He probably plays everyday in Triple-A but could be up and down from NY.
Jonas
12:12
I was surprised to see Janson Junk ranked #7 on LAA recent Fangraphs prospect list. Is the Angels farm system that weak? Or is something else going on there?
Derek
12:13
Yeah, their farm has graded pretty poorly over the last few seasons IIRC. I know BA and FG had them as a bottom third farm system in 2021. And that's even with the likes of Marsh and Detmers at the top. But now that Marsh graduated (and maybe Detmers did, not sure), it's even worse.
12:14
I'd guess Junk would be in the 20s of the Yankees' top 30. I can't remember if he cracked the MLB Pipeline list or not.
Daniel
12:14
I think the lack of real baseball news is starting to get to me. There’s always a detox period for me at the end of a sports season but this lockout is brutal. Anyone else *really* miss it?
Derek
12:16
I felt that way when we missed the winter meetings this year, but this last week or so has actually been nice on a personal level because it's been a bit of a break. But it's going to be really rough in January/February for as long as this keeps going.
Bart
12:17
Daniel - Anyone else *really* miss it? Yes! And it will be brutal if the lockout continues past the Super Bowl time frame
Dan A.
12:18
Obviously Stanton had a nice season, and a legit rebound.  I think we should trade him.  He finally has rebuilt some trade value after being hurt for so long.  I'm hopeful the healthy year came from a change in training regimen, but I'm not certain of that.  I'd rather cash out now.  Judge and Stanton can plainly coexist, but if both are going to be signed well into their 30s, their may not be a DH spot for both of them.  I'd much rather have the spot open for Judge.
Derek
12:21
Stanton still has $189M over 6 years left on his deal, though the Marlins are on the hook for $30M of that. He also has a NTC and I'd bet he'd want his 2028 option picked up to waive it, which tacks on another $15 million (he already had a $10 million buyout included). I don't think teams will be rushing to take him on TBH, and judging from the last time Stanton was on the block, he really only wanted to go to California or NY.
If there's an NL DH, maybe the equation changes, but I still don't see a trade happening at this point
Patrick
12:22
Besides the shortstops and the Martian, who in the Yankee farm system has actual star potential?
Derek
12:23
If Luis Medina can improve his control, then him. Huge upside, just don't know if he can get to it. Maybe Everson Pereira too.
JA
12:24
Trevor Story’s numbers last year against RHPs were pretty atrocious. Should the Yankees stay away because they already have so many meh guys against RHPs?
Derek
12:25
I've seen a few people mention this over recent weeks. I just took a really quick look at Story's splits and it's really just been 2021 and 2017 where he was bad vs RHP. He's been in the 110 to 125 wRC+ vs. RHP in other years, though better against lefties consistently. I wouldn't make too much of it.
JE
12:27
Any interest in Kyle Lewis? Seattle's of is getting crowded.
Derek
12:28
Ehh. I'm hesitant to add another high K batter. Also not sure if he's a CF long term.
Bart
12:29
Do you think Ridings could make an impact to the team this year - especially with Britton out for the year?
Derek
12:30
If he's healthy, yes. Nobody seems to know what's up with Ridings though.
Joe
12:30
If you had to guess right now who are the opening day ss and 1b?
Derek
12:31
Simmons/Olson.
KB
12:32
Is baseball slowly transitioning to a world where every game is pitched by 3 "starters" that go through the order 1 time? Low innings count (less injury), avoid 300 mill contracts for pitchers (owners love it) ...
Derek
12:34
To some degree, yes. The money savings are real, but I also think teams are realizing there's little to no benefit to forcing back-end starters to go 5 innings or more. I think there will always be frontline starters who go fairly deep routinely, but the rest of the rotation may be more like 3 - 4 innings guys.
David G
12:35
I agree with Sherman that I can’t see getting Olsen without including Peraza. Is it worth it?
Derek
12:36
Probably? Prospects miss or fall short of expectations a lot more than we think. I'd still rather trade from the top of the farm system for more premium positions though, not 1B.
12:37
Question queue is just about empty. I'd like to stretch this the full hour but given that there's just not much going on, we might not be able to. So, last call for questions.
Bart
12:37
Who do you think the best pitching option is out there for the Yankees - trade or FA? Do they go for Carlosn Rondon
Derek
12:39
Definitely could see Rodon at this point. The rest of the FA starters aren't very exciting. I'm blanking on trade targets at the moment, though that does seem like the avenue the team has liked to go in recent offseasons, like with Paxton/Taillon.
Eric S.
12:39
How about trading for Ketel Marte or Reynolds with the Bucs?
Derek
12:39
Yes to either, and those are the kind of guys I'd prefer to move someone like Peraza + more for.
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