With the lockout still in effect for the New York Yankees and all the MLB owners and players seemingly no closer to an agreement, there is not any transaction news for the time being. However, there are some important things going on that you should be aware of. Here is a weekend roundup of the most important stories.
Prospect Jasson Dominguez is worth a lot on paper
For a couple of years now, we have been listening to all the hype surrounding outfielder prospect Jasson Dominguez, everything from being a monster at the plate to being one of the best outfielders the Yankees have seen for years. According to scouts, all of that is true.
Tops have just issued a new baseball card for the young phenom. That card sold for a record-breaking amount for any Dominguez card. At the close of business, Goldin Auctions closed the betting, netting $474,000 for the card to an unknown buyer.
The players association rejects MLB’s desire to involve the Feds
In less than a half dozen meetings between the MLB owners and players since MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred put a lockout in place, preventing any teams to make any transactions or even talking to each other. The CBA seems no closer to a resolution. Last week MLB asked for involvement from the Federal Government, stepping in the help mediate an agreement acceptable to all sides, but the players union, who must agree to the move, rejected it.
The Major League Baseball Players Association on Friday ruled out a third party intervening, one day after MLB asked for help from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
“After consultation with our executive board and taking into account a variety of factors, we have declined this request. The clearest path to a fair and timely agreement is to get back to the table. Players stand ready to negotiate.”
Players that will not be traded
The New York Yankees have made it pretty clear recently that they are not interested in trading off two of the best prospects they have had in years. Specifically, we are talking about SS Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza. If previous talks with the Oakland Athletics, when the A’s suggested that the two be included in a trade for Matt Olson, a first baseman the Yankees surely would like to have. However, the Yankees denied the request, not wanting to strip their farm system of future shortstops for the Yankee team.
Although the talks were before the lockout, it seems to set the stage for future requests outcomes when other teams want the two or even one included in any trade deal. Keep in mind with the twists and turns that will lay ahead before the season starts, anything can happen.
First baseman Freddie Freeman to be pursued by the Yankees?
There is no question that Freddie Freeman is the best first baseman free agent on the market, and the Yankees would surely like to see him in pinstripes. Freeman and the Braves have been at odds all season long on an extension, and after they won the World Series, Freeman became a free agent. Since then, the Braves have offered him a $180 million contract that he rejected.
Ever since Freeman became a free agent, the Yankees have been mentioned as a landing place for the first baseman. The Yankees could use Luke Voit at first, but that would be the least appealing with all of his injuries, even though he was the number one home run leader in 2020. 2021 wasn’t a good year for Voit at the plate or with all his lower-body injuries. They also could go after the A’s Matt Olson, but a trade from him might be too costly for the Yankees. The most likely scenario is that they will re-sign Anthony Rizzo, who has said he would like to remain in New York. But nevertheless, the Freeman rumors continue.
With the Yankees projected to have just two lefty hitters, Joey Gallo and Aaron Hicks, Freeman, also a lefty, would add some pop on the left side of the base for the Yankees. Recently according to MLB Networks’ Jon Heyman, the Yankees will “make a run” after Freeman when the lockout preventing transactions is lifted.
Gio Urshela’s future unclear
Last season, Gio Urshela fell victim to the inconsistent hitting, among other things, but though his offensive performance waned, his dedication to the team never lapsed. Think of his Jeter-like into the stands in Game 162 of the regular season. Nevertheless, he didn’t hit as well as the previous season and doesn’t deserve to be handed an automatic start at third base. This is particularly true with the present turmoil in the infield that has no clear resolution. With DJ LeMahieu likely to be displaced at first and Gleyber Torres being the everyday second baseman, there might be no place for Urshela unless he is moved to shortstop or even the bench to start the season.