Yankees hire coaches on the cheap
The New York Yankees already being accused of being cheap, not scooping up any of the star free agents available to fill needed pieces, are again being called cheap. This week although in a lockout, the Yankees hired two new coaches.
At the end of the season they parted ways with hitting coach Marcus Thames and his assistant. They also got rid of third base coach Phil Nevin. Nevin has since been replaced by ex-manager Luis Rojas. Now the Yankees have replaced Thames, by promoting Dillon Lawson to the post. Social media is all over this move, citing that the former University of Missouri and Houston Astros farm coach never hit a ball in the major leagues. After the Yankees lack of hitting in 2021, fans were hoping for a big name like, Paul O’Neill the “warrior” or other star hitter.
In another criticized move, the Yankees promoted Desi Druschel, a minor-league manager of pitch development to an assistant pitching coach to assist Matt Blake. Both of these moves are seen as cheap moves by the Yankee, and itt does signal that manager Aaron Boone will have a bunch of new coaches to work with.
Masahiro Tanaka; his future plans
Masahiro Tanaka was awarded a $155 million contract in 2014, to remain with the Yankees for seven years. Tanaka won 78 games with the Yankees, earning a 3.74 ERA. At the end of the 2020 season after winning only three games, he wasn’t offered a new contract and moved his pitching skills back to Japan. As it appears the Yankees made the correct decision as he went 4-9. There was some talk of Tanaka returning to the Yankees, but that will not be the case, as he is returning to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles for the 2022 season.
Manfred institutes lockout, when will the season start?
The New York Yankees and all of major league baseball went into lockout when the owners and the players couldn’t come to an agreement on a new CBA (collective bargaining agreement). This is the first work stoppage in baseball in 27 years. Although there are some differences, it is like 1994 all over again. This is a lockout by the owners; in 1994, it was a walkout by the players; nevertheless, the result is the same, no baseball interactions by any of the parties involved until a new agreement can be reached.
With the sides still very far apart, and neither side willing to work in good faith, it spells for a very long work stoppage, as seen by most industry insiders. Most baseball writers from The Athletic think the work stoppage will last until the start of spring training.
Freddie Freeman and others still tangling out there for the Yankees
MLB players may be on lockout, but for the Yankees, they find themselves with as many holes to fill as the beginning of the postseason. Now, not being able to even talk to players or their agents until a new CBA can be signed. Once it is, Yankee manager Brian Cashman will have to pounce if he hopes to upgrade the team.
As it stands right now, the Yankees have no solid first baseman, no shortstop, no true number two pitcher, and needing help in centefield. In short, Marcus Semien and Corey Seager are already off the market, leaving Carlos Correa and Trevor Story as the only two big names left. After apparently failing to get Justin Verlander to the Yankees, they still need that one two punch. As of this moment the only first baseman available to the Yankees is Luke Voit, who is not the best choice. They could resign Anthony Rizzo, but the big name out there is Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman, who would be the best first baseman for the Yankees since Mark Tiexiera.
LeMarr Hoyt and his connection to the Yankees, that led to the Yankees first Championship in 15 years
LeMarr Hoyt, that was once a Yankee passed away this week at 66, after a long battle with cancer. He never pitched in the majors for the Yankees, but may be responsible for the end of a 15 year drought in winning a World Series. The Yankees traded Hoyts to get Bucky Dent, who then GM Gabe Paul really wanted, the Yankees also picked up Reggie Jackson, and the Yankees won the 1977 and 1978 World Series.
It was a good move for Hoyt too. He would go on to win the 1982 Cy Young Award with the Chicago White Sox. He also lead the AL in 1983, but his pitching soon regressed, and his career was over after the 1986 season. He was plagued by a shoulder injury and began abusing drugs and painkillers, leading to his exit from baseball.