Yankees news, rumors: Bizarre lawsuit against NYY, Opening Day announced, Yankee FA murmurs

New York Yankees, Derek Jeter
Sep 27, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (2) in the dugout before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

In one of the more interesting lawsuits that there has been relative to the MLB, former Yankees prospect Garrison Lassiter had filed a lawsuit worth roughly $34,000,000 against the New York Yankees. He claimed that his MLB career with the Yankees was never going anywhere, and attributes it to the Yankees conspiring against him and doing whatever they can to keep Derek Jeter in his position for as long as possible. Mind you, Lassiter never played a game above High A baseball and was seen as a “below average” prospect with limited tools and no dimensions to his game that jumped off the page.

A judge ultimately dismissed the case in May of last year, but details of it are now beginning to surface, and it seems as if Lassiter is still bitter about it.

Lassiter, who decided to represent himself, claimed that the Yankees organization kept him from ever going anywhere and that he never had a future with them. His $34 million asking price in the lawsuit was because he felt he was “valued” at the same as former NL ROTY, Corey Seager combined with former Yankees prospect-turned NFL QB, Brandon Weeden. That’s a bold claim by someone who’s best season ended with an OPS of .699 and a single HR across 245 plate appearances. Its the sad reality that tens of thousands of kids never end up making it to the show & it shows the brutal nature and competition within the MLB itself. However, for someone to sue the team when they’re down on their luck is genuinely an interesting move.

MLB Network’s Jon Heyman perhaps had the best perspective on the matter, tweeting: “His first case as a lawyer was a tough one. So he still may be a better lawyer than a baseball player.”

Lassiter’s career average in the minor leagues was: .244, and he added a stellar 4 HR’s to go with it, from 2008-2012.

Opening Day Dates Announced

The Opening Day dates for Yankees baseball have been announced, and they are as follows: Opening Day: March 26, 2020 (3:05 PM e/t) vs. BAL & the Home Opener: April 2, 2020 (1:05 PM e/t) vs. TOR. The March 26th opener marks the earliest in Major League Baseball’s long and storied history, and it features a slate of games — including the New York Yankees versus the Baltimore Orioles.

Opening Day should hopefully result in a win for the Yankees, as Baltimore’s shambles of a club take the field at Camden Yards for the first time in 2020. I am excited to see early-season ‘MVP front runner’ Chris Davis trot out there to the boo’s of Baltimore faithful, and to watch Aaron Judge and Gleyber Torres continue their torrid careers against the O’s.

Judge’s career line vs. Baltimore, in 50 Games: .290 / .442 / .608 with 15 HR and 11 2B’s, also having driven in 40.

Torres’ career line vs. Baltimore, in 29 Games: .362 / .438 / .876 with 16 HR and 6 2B’s, also having driven in 31.

Well, that should be a fun & competitive one, but it’s baseball, and anything can happen on any given day — so let’s not count our chickens before they hatch.

Yankees FA updates and rumors

With Free Agency reaching, what appears to be, a very stagnant stage, the Yankees haven’t made any exciting moves over the past few days. The team chose to sign Nick Tropeano to a minor league contract, for depth — as appears to be the case with a lot of these recent signings — and hasn’t further engaged in talks for Josh Hader, nor have they entertained any new discussions on Miguel Andujar.

Simply put, the Yankees seem to be set with what they have as Spring Training hype ramps up here. Spring Training is just around the corner, with the slate of games set to begin at the end of February, and boy I cannot wait. To have baseball back means to have — as the Yankees Front Office could best put it — “that unmitigated joy” as there’s no sport like it in the entire world. Being able to follow a team for a minimum of 162 games truly allows the fans to fall in love with their team, and ultimately the players as well. It’s a beautiful game, and 2020 should be an enjoyable season to watch.

Look for the Yankees to keep tabs on various Free Agents, and also potential trade candidates, but don’t be surprised if everything we’ve heard — rumor wise — turns out to be rumors and chatter. New York’s front office is one of the best in the entire league, and they’re not going to make unnecessary signings, especially if they’re content with what they’ve got. As of now, the team is predicted to be one of the best in the history of the league and hopefully can meet these high expectations come March.