Just some fun ...
Dec 10, 2016 15:42:59 GMT -6
Cardinals GM(Jared), Nationals GM (Justin), and 1 more like this
Post by New York Yankees GM(Tommy) on Dec 10, 2016 15:42:59 GMT -6
- Back from the Winter Meetings G.M. Tom Barton sat down with us to talk about the direction of the team entering 2017. Barton called this year "a transitional time" for the Yankees. Outsiders and opposing GM's have long questioned Barton's methods for years (trade away all high draft picks, build a big bullpen, and emphasize on catcher and SS), but it's hard to argue with his results. The fans in New York are getting restless though, as Barton may have finished 2nd and 3rd the past two years but it's been since 2012 since a ring was put on the Yankees fingers.
The Yankees entered the offseason off of what Barton said has been perceived as a "a down year." The Yankees won their 4th division title in 5 seasons but failed to win their 3rd championship. Barton said "I don't want to diminish what it is to win a division crown. It's always an accomplishment, especially with our division being the toughest in the league the past 5 years, but our fans expect a championship every season."
Barton entered the offseason with some big decisions to make and has already started the transition. When we spoke after the season he told us that getting a better outfield was priority one. At the winter meetings Barton did just that landing Herrera and Cespedes. Jared, the Cards GM, told us "that's not like the Yankees at all to go get a high profile, expensive, veteran bat." On the surface that is true but when you dig deeper the CF eligibility is what has driven this team for a decade. With these additions Barton now has 3 centerfielders on the team and the outfield is fixed. This move even allowed time for Aron Judge to sit one more season, even two. Both Tampa and Detroit were in division trades, but Barton said he doesn't worry about that he just wants all owners to walk away happy with the deals.
Another Barton staple is trading away picks. It seems year after year we sit back and watch the Yankees be left out of the first round, sometimes second and this year won't pick until the 4th. Asked for a comment on the draft Barton told us "I've said it for years guys I think I can find value in the later rounds and this draft is back heavy after the top 3-4 guys go off the board." It is completely unconventional thinking and his opponents have ripped him for years.But it's hard to argue the approach as he has landed guys like Trevor Story, Tajuian Walker, Dellin Betances,and Ken Giles after the 3rd round and all are key parts to the team. Not to mention guys like Hunter Renroe, Gregorious, and Mat Latos who were good trading chips. Barton seems to have a knack to grab one solid player late in every draft, but has struggled in the early rounds.
The biggest offseason story though might be what Barton plans to do with Clayton Kershaw. The Yankees own Kershaw's rights this year but he will come at a hefty price tag. He is expected to be the highest pitcher ever and could be the highest paid player in the leagues history. Barton has long been opposed to high priced pitching and he did not excercize his buyout clause last year. Barton told us "It's hard to imagine what the Yankees would be without Clayton. He has been one of our most important pieces." But he did add "We have to remember this is a business though and coming off of an injury we have to talk to the doctors and the financial people regarding the salary cap."
It's hard to envision the Yanks without Kershaw but this is a transitional offseason as Barton mentioned. They already traded away Carlos Gomez who was on both World Series teams and he has two other starters he holds rights to, who both should come at a discount. While the notion of Kershaw in another uniform might seem far stretched there are reasons to question it. Does Barton feel the pressure of making sure he retains Jake Arrieta because he dealt away a 1rst round pick for a rental player, and eventually didn't get the championship? What about Matt Moore, who was famously dealt away for Mike Trout? Although Barton will be quick to point out that did result in 2 championships in 3 seasons you have to wonder if the fans will feel the same way watching Trout tear up the league.
As we were interviewing Barton his phone rang no less than 10 times and the wheels are spinning. He told us he is in deep negotiations with two teams, one of which he said would be sending "a top 10 player in the league" to another destination. Currently Barton only has Correra or Machado to fill that description. Could one of them be on their way? He fielded an email asking for Kershaw's rights right before the interview began as well and made it clear "the price is reasonable." Is this all a smokescreen from one of the most well documented straight shooters in the game?
A transitional offseason is how GM Tom Barton put it. For us Yankees fans we are just saying 'go get us another ring Tom, we have faith...... or do we?'
The Yankees entered the offseason off of what Barton said has been perceived as a "a down year." The Yankees won their 4th division title in 5 seasons but failed to win their 3rd championship. Barton said "I don't want to diminish what it is to win a division crown. It's always an accomplishment, especially with our division being the toughest in the league the past 5 years, but our fans expect a championship every season."
Barton entered the offseason with some big decisions to make and has already started the transition. When we spoke after the season he told us that getting a better outfield was priority one. At the winter meetings Barton did just that landing Herrera and Cespedes. Jared, the Cards GM, told us "that's not like the Yankees at all to go get a high profile, expensive, veteran bat." On the surface that is true but when you dig deeper the CF eligibility is what has driven this team for a decade. With these additions Barton now has 3 centerfielders on the team and the outfield is fixed. This move even allowed time for Aron Judge to sit one more season, even two. Both Tampa and Detroit were in division trades, but Barton said he doesn't worry about that he just wants all owners to walk away happy with the deals.
Another Barton staple is trading away picks. It seems year after year we sit back and watch the Yankees be left out of the first round, sometimes second and this year won't pick until the 4th. Asked for a comment on the draft Barton told us "I've said it for years guys I think I can find value in the later rounds and this draft is back heavy after the top 3-4 guys go off the board." It is completely unconventional thinking and his opponents have ripped him for years.But it's hard to argue the approach as he has landed guys like Trevor Story, Tajuian Walker, Dellin Betances,and Ken Giles after the 3rd round and all are key parts to the team. Not to mention guys like Hunter Renroe, Gregorious, and Mat Latos who were good trading chips. Barton seems to have a knack to grab one solid player late in every draft, but has struggled in the early rounds.
The biggest offseason story though might be what Barton plans to do with Clayton Kershaw. The Yankees own Kershaw's rights this year but he will come at a hefty price tag. He is expected to be the highest pitcher ever and could be the highest paid player in the leagues history. Barton has long been opposed to high priced pitching and he did not excercize his buyout clause last year. Barton told us "It's hard to imagine what the Yankees would be without Clayton. He has been one of our most important pieces." But he did add "We have to remember this is a business though and coming off of an injury we have to talk to the doctors and the financial people regarding the salary cap."
It's hard to envision the Yanks without Kershaw but this is a transitional offseason as Barton mentioned. They already traded away Carlos Gomez who was on both World Series teams and he has two other starters he holds rights to, who both should come at a discount. While the notion of Kershaw in another uniform might seem far stretched there are reasons to question it. Does Barton feel the pressure of making sure he retains Jake Arrieta because he dealt away a 1rst round pick for a rental player, and eventually didn't get the championship? What about Matt Moore, who was famously dealt away for Mike Trout? Although Barton will be quick to point out that did result in 2 championships in 3 seasons you have to wonder if the fans will feel the same way watching Trout tear up the league.
As we were interviewing Barton his phone rang no less than 10 times and the wheels are spinning. He told us he is in deep negotiations with two teams, one of which he said would be sending "a top 10 player in the league" to another destination. Currently Barton only has Correra or Machado to fill that description. Could one of them be on their way? He fielded an email asking for Kershaw's rights right before the interview began as well and made it clear "the price is reasonable." Is this all a smokescreen from one of the most well documented straight shooters in the game?
A transitional offseason is how GM Tom Barton put it. For us Yankees fans we are just saying 'go get us another ring Tom, we have faith...... or do we?'