Yoan Moncada: Why the Yankees Didn't Get Him and How It Might Hurt Them

Switch-hitting Cuban sensation Yoan Moncada, just 19, will be playing his future home games at Fenway Park because the Yankees reportedly did not want to spend an extra $9 million. 

After months of speculation and rumors, the auction for Yoan Moncada's services has ended and the Red Sox have signed the Cuban prospect for about $63 million in total bonuses and penalties. People had initially blamed Brian Cashman for for not signing him, but it seems that he couldn't Hal Steinbrenner to get any higher than $32 Million. 

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Image Credit: bostonglobe.com 

The days of the blank checkbook seem to be over the Yankees. 

The Yankees clearly have the money and financial might to acquire a player in that dollar range, so seeing the Steinbrenners place a hard cap on bidding is quite illogical. This all under the assumption that Hal did in fact place a cap, which is not obvious, so we may never know the truth. If the front office's dollar value estimation was at all higher than their rival's bid, then this strategy is not only illogical, but largely damaging to the long-term health of the club. 

The Yankees, under GM Brian Cashman and the Steinbrenner family without George, spend most of their time figuring ways to pay less luxury tax and scheming for angles to avoid paying Alex Rodriguez bonus money on a contract they stupidly agreed to extend back in 2007.

When they fell to last place in the AL East during the lost summer of Bobby Valentine, the Red Sox took a fire hose to both the manager’s office and the roster, and stormed back to win the World Series in 2013. Now, after again finishing last in the AL East in 2014 at 71-91,they’re again positioned to make significant hay in the division. They played it smart in July, dealing away most of their rotation and jump-starting the rebuilding process toward 2015. Then this offseason, the acquired Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez, which will greatly boost both their offense and defense. 

The Red Sox have acted wisely in order to revamp their team. The Yankees, however, have been less than efficient in rebuilding their team. They could learn a lesson from the Red Sox in the art of wheeling and dealing. Boston formed a team that all the teams in the AL East will struggle greatly against- especially the Yankees. 

Yoan Moncada’s talent is unquestioned, and he would have immediately bolstered a lackluster Yankees farm system that desperately needs a boost. That bonus money would not count against the Yankees’ salary number, and would get them a high-end player that they would control for years to come at a reasonable yearly salary. The Yankees might not have access to that type of player ever again.

Not only did Boston acquire a five-tool, 19-year-old infielder who has been the talk of baseball all winter, the Yankees failed to acquire young talent- which they desperately need- and let the talent fall into the hands of their rivals.

Brian Cashman made a mistake on Monday, one that he might regret in a big way in a few years. Hopefully, Moncada will not pan out the way people thought, and the Yankees will have made the right choice. 

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO

Red Sox Off-Season: Rings Again or Gas For Another Fire Sale?

Image Credit: boston.cbslocal.com

By: Kai Jones

Edited by: Dana P. (E.I.C.) 

They say if you love it, then you should let it go. If it comes back then it’s meant to be. When the Boston Red Sox traded away their top 10 prospect in 2005, we're not sure if they thought he would ever play for them again. However, the Red Sox got Hanley Ramirez back on Tuesday. Maybe Ramirez's love for the organization came back easily, considering the 4-year-$88 million dollar contract. The Sox also added champion and former World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval for a 5 year deal worth $95 million, with the fifth year being a club option. The Sox are also fishing for a solid pitcher, as they are offering their former ace Jon Lester a nice sized contract as well. 

Is this like the 2011 debacle where the Sox acquired a lot of big names and had a fire sell the next year? Are the Red Sox a wolf or a mere overhyped sheep?

We really can’t say right now because we still don’t know their rotation or lineup. The Red Sox right now have a lot of talent, and adding Sandoval adds more championship experience to a team that just won a World Series title in 2013, under their current manager John Farrell. For all the fans that may be worried about another fire sale, they must look at the facts. While Terry Francona was also a World Series winning manager, he needed a fresh start away from the organization, which is why the 2011 team did not work. Bobby Valentine was also a great manager in his own respect, but the chemistry was off with that team. John Farrell is a player’s manager and is close to his team. So while this team did not play well last season, the team definitely has plenty of talent. With these additions why wouldn’t they be a big favorite to win it all? The Red Sox have former World Series MVP David Ortiz still, 2-time and reigning Home Run Derby winner Yoenis Céspedes, and former MVP Dustin Pedroia. Adding Lester can only help their rotation, which is key to winning a World Series.

It’s way too early to make a World Series prediction, but on paper you have to agree that the Red Sox have made the biggest splash this off-season.

WWE Superstars John Cena & The Big Show Pay Their Respects to TheCaptain Derek Jeter, on Derek Jeter Day

The retirement ceremony took place on Sunday September 7th and was packed with fans and celebrities, including Michael Jordan. Also celebrating Jeter's career, John Cena and the Big Show confess their true feelings for No. 2 in a tribute video posted on the YES Network. Big Show proclaims Jeter to be a legend and a hero. Cena admits to emulating the Yankee's shortstop. WWE Superstars are HUGE Derek Jeter fans. 

Who would have thought? Seeing as Big Show is from South Carolina and John Cena is from Boston! Either way, it's good to see the love and admiration these athletes have for each other. 

See the video of Cena & Show honoring one of the best Major League Baseball players, to ever play the game.

-Loveblump

Edited by: Dana Pellotta

Editor in Cheif/Owner

Yankees starting pitcher Michael Pineda, caught using pine tar. TWICE!

Well, I was at Fenway tonight watching the Yankee game, and I don't think I ever want to go back. There were just WAY too many things wrong with tonight's game that I noticed, some before it even started.

First, I did not agree with the lineup. I think Ichiro should've played right field, while Gardner took left field. More speed for the outfield. Second thing I noticed, as it was absolutely FREEZING, and windy as all hell....was, "why isn't Pineda wearing sleeves? It's so cold." Didn't make sense to me. Well, he went on to pitch a horrible first inning. So horrible that he felt the need to turn to pine tar again, for the second time this year! Here...we...go.

Pine tar on the neck. Why? Look I have no problem with "cheating" as long as you don't get caught. I just have many concerns as to why he would go this route and over expose himself, when he could've easily hid it, ON HIS WRIST UNDER HIS SLEEVES! It's almost like he WANTED to get caught! 

When the 2nd inning started, I left my seats & headed to the concession stands. As I was on the line, the tv screen was focusing on Michael Pinedas neck. The camera man was ALL over him. I had to look twice. When I first noticed it, I thought it was sweat. He couldn't POSSIBLY make this noticeable two times in a row, right? But, then I thought, sweat? It's like 55 degrees and I'm in layers over here. So take two, I'm looking and I can't stop staring at this tv. I knew it was gonna happen....

My emotions were crazy. I actually had a huge amount of anxiety. I was nervous, for Pineda & the Yankees. Plus, I really don't like seeing stuff like this in person. I would've honestly preferred NOT to be at this game. So, I rushed down to some open seats not too far back behind home plate. Red Sox manager John Farrell, called time out, then proceeded to make his way towards home plate. It was over...

(Photo by myself, snapped of a tv screen inside Fenway Park)

The place went nuts. We all knew it was going to happen. After Farrell was done saying whatever it is exactly that he said to the home plate umpire, the ump walked to the mound. He checked Pinedas glove, made him turn around (like it was an airport security check),and then, (what appeared to be without permission by Pineda), the ump decided to touch his neck where the "pine tar" appeared to be. There goes our fifth starter. Pineda was EJECTED in only the SECOND INNING! Girardi came out quickly to talk to the ump. But I mean, what could he have possibly had to say? There was no getting out of jail card for that move.

Pineda was replaced by Phelps, who looked weak, although he was unprepared. 

My thoughts? Dumb, careless, senseless, absurd, shocking, disappointing. As I said before, this was SO easy to hide. Also, Girardi knew about this. ESPN totally singled this guy out because they HATE THE YANKEES! If it were someone on Boston, they wouldn't have brought much attention to this. 

I am still in the car on my way home, so I have yet to watch all the post game interviews. What I've read so far, ESPN reported that Pineda admitted to using pine tar at tonight's game, and stated he used it because he wanted to "get a better grip on the ball." Yankees GM Brian Cashman stated he is "embarrassed" for his team. 

“We are all embarrassed this has taken place,” Cashman said. “I think Michael is embarrassed, and we are embarrassed that somehow he took the field like that. It’s just a bad situation and clearly forced the opponent’s hand to do something I’m sure they didn’t want to do, but they had no choice but to do.”

A 10 game SUSPENSION is likely, but we won't know until at least the morning I'm assuming. 

This is just a really rough start for the 2014 Yankees. Phelps will likely take Pinedas spot if/when he is suspended.

This is going to make headlines & the front page in the morning, for sure. It should be very interesting to see what happens next. The Yankees will likely discipline him to make sure this doesn't ever happen again, but with a young mindset like Pineda, my thoughts are he's going to wannna to try & get away with this again. We shall see....

By:: Dana P. (Blog Owner/Editor in Chief)

They weren't done yet. Yankees sign 29 year old closer, Andrew Bailey! Orioles look build by adding Cruz, and more.

Just when you thought the Yankees were done shopping, BOOM! There goes a new addition to the bullpen. 

The Yankees have signed former Red Sox and Oakland A's reliever Andrew Bailey, to a one year deal worth about 2 million, with a second season option. 

Via CBSSports.com

Bailey, age 29, pitched to a 3.77 ERA (110 ERA+) and 3.25 K/BB ratio in 28 2/3 innings for the Red Sox last season. For his career, Bailey owns an impressive ERA+ of 160 across parts of five big-league seasons, and he's struck out 227 batters in 218 innings. On the downside, Bailey has been on the DL five times in and lost more than 300 games to injury. Last July, he underwent shoulder surgery.

Still recovering from his shoulder surgery, he isn't expected to start throwing til July. With his experience and young age, I think he would be a better fit for a closer, rather then David Robertson. But right now, this is the only option. Starting him as the closer next year, wouldn't be a good for Robertson. Throwing D-Rob around from reliever to closer, would screw him up. He would end up similar to how Joba Chamberlin ended up. That being said, Bailey will likely be the 7th-8th inning guy for his career in pinstripes.

Today, the Yankees locked in Brett Gardner, for 4 years!! That deal is worth 52 million. Gardner, straight from the Yankees farm system, has decided to stay loyal to where he came from, unlike Robinson Cano. 

Perfect trade bait this off season, has turned the other direction!  Love this.

Off Yankee talk real quick, the Orioles signed former Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, to a one year deal worth 8 million. This team is really looking to build. I'm predicting a Yanks vs. Orioles ALDS, with the Yankees taking it in game 4. 

By:: Dana Pelotta (Blog Owner/Editor in Chief)