WHAT IF THE YANKEES SIGN NOLAN ARENADO?

Source: The Athletic

With just about 14 days until the start of spring training, the Yankees have a lot of options when it comes to infielders.  As our writer Missy posted on Friday in TWO YANKEE BATTLES TO TAKE PLACE THIS SPRING TRAINING, infielders Tyler Wade and Thairo Estrada may get a shot to be replacement infielders but what if I told you to forget all that?  What if the Yankees could tap the Colorado Rockies again for an infielder and this time it could be Nolan Arenado?

According to The Athletic, "The Yankees could offer a strong package that includes third basemen Gio Urshela and Miguel Andújar, along with top pitching prospect Deivi Garcia and outfielder Clint Frazier. ... All four of those players would be expendable to the Yankees if they can land Arenado. This type of deal makes a lot of sense baseball-wise. ... Another option could be for the Rockies to offer Arenado straight up for outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, who has eight years remaining on his 13-year, $325 million contract, of which approximately $60 million will be paid by the Miami Marlins if he doesn’t opt-out after this season — and he’s not opting out of this contract no matter what."

Wait, what...Giancarlo Stanton to the Rockies?  Oh blessed redeemer, yes.  I would really hate to see Urshela and Andujar go and this other idea of Stanton just sounds so much sweeter.  But with Stanton's no trade clause and the fact that he loves being a Yankee, this deal is less likely, no matter how sweet.

Source: CBS Sports

"The 28-year-old Arenado is a five-time All-Star and seven-time Gold Glove winner. Arenado has at least 37 home runs and 110 RBI in each of last five seasons, making him a perennial National League MVP candidate," reports NJ.com.  He also has a no-trade clause and there is a line of other teams in contention with the Yankees to grab Arenado.

Source: ESPN

If he was to come to New York and perform even close to his former teammate DJ LeMahieu, wow...I mean that would be incredible.  We will keep an eye on developments.  This is the kind of excitement and anticipation that the offseason is supposed to be about...not about cheaters who have consumed all of our brains and perhaps unnerved our passion for the game.  Let's focus on the the anticipation of 2020 and it starts with the possibility of Arenado coming to the Bronx.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof 

TWO YANKEE BATTLES TO TAKE PLACE THIS SPRING TRAINING!

Even though it does not feel like it with this weather, Spring Training is just around the corner. Luckily, the Yankees have most things in place and now just have the problem of choosing who is going to start on Opening Day. There are two battles that will take place during Spring Training: fifth starter and backup infielder.

Source: WFAN

J.A. Happ's veteran status will make him the front runner for the fifth starting spot, however there are multiple pitchers that could step up to the plate. Jordan Montgomery has recovered from Tommy John Surgery and had an impress curveball that generated impressive numbers for a rookie. After Happ's disappointing 2019, do the Yankees want someone fresh to step in?

As for backup infielder, it will come down to either Tyler Wade or Thairo Estrada, who are really neck and neck based on their past performances. Wade sticks out from the pair because he is a lefty, which the Yankees lack in their hitting order. His speed is also helpful when it comes to base running as well as defensively. However Estrada is an excellent shortstop, a very hard position to play. He also has more power in his bat. The playing field is even for the pair to prove themselves at Spring Training.

The countdown to February 22nd begins!

--Missy O'Rourke
BYB Contributor
Twitter: @missy_orourke