NEW YORK, NY – After the Yankees lost out on Patrick Corbin (see Buddy Diaz’s piece) to Washington for six years and $130 million, the Bronx Bombers turned their attentions to Flushing, Queens. Rumors had it that Brian Cashman and the Mets and new GM, Brodie Van Wagenen, were attempting a three-team deal that would send Noah Syndergaard across the Triboro Bridge to the Bronx.
News Flash: That didn’t last long, as all parties tempered expectations for that swap.
BUT…
The Yankees did wind up getting a pitcher. They signed JA Happ to a two year deal for $17 million per, with an option for a third year. The 36-year old Happ pitched well for the Yankees down the stretch and does help bolster the Yankees rotation for next year. They could still use another arm at the top of the rotation. Further, they’ll be a long shot to land Corey Kluber or Syndergaard at this point, but you never know.
The Pinstripers still have a gap at shortstop until Didi Gregorius is back from Tommy John surgery late next year. Manny Machado has indicated that the Yankees would be his top choice if the price is right. It remains to be seen if the Yankees will offer Machado the years and dollars he wants. They’ve balked at the $300m Machado is seeking. They may come around as the off-season progresses, but by then they may have lost out to one of Machado’s other suitors.
Meanwhile…
On the ice, the Rangers have come back down to earth after flirting with top spot in the Metropolitan Division for the first two months of the season. They’re now out of playoff position, as the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins have shaken off the early season cobwebs and are now where we expected them to be.
While the Rangers have played pretty well, they’re still a long way away from being a contender. Kevin Shattenkirk who missed most of the season last year after signing a big contract with the Blueshirts is back on the injured list. Shatty will miss 2-4 weeks with a shoulder injury after being hit by former Ranger JT Miller Monday night against Tampa. Shats had been playing better of late after battling back from knee problems. Now he may miss a month with the shoulder injury.
The Broadway Blues are fairly deep on the blue line and the Shattenkirk injury comes at a good time. Adam McQuaid is now back to practicing with the squad and could play tonight against the Coyotes. Pavel Buchnevich and Cody McLeod are close to returning from hand injuries which would bolster squad going forward.
I still think the Rangers will be sellers at the deadline. They’re not just missing one or two pieces to be a cup contender that they could acquire at the deadline. Kevin Hayes will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1st unless he re-signs with the Rangers before then. The Rangers have between January 1st and the February 25th trade deadline to come to terms with Hayes. If they don’t agree on a deal, The Rangers will have to trade Hayes or he could leave for free next summer. Hayes is looking for a contract in the neighborhood of five years at $5.5 million per. He signed a bridge contract last summer for one year at $5.1 million. We’ll see if the Rangers come up from their evaluation over the next two months.
That’s it. Comment below if you like and come back for a man that likes to play goalie without a mask, Junoir Blaber.
