Yankees deal for Zach Britton

While it may have seemed like Brian Cashman would have done anything in his power to add Manny Machado onto his team, his focus before the deadline remained clear: add pitching. Yesterday, the New York Yankees traded for Baltimore Orioles reliever Zach Britton in a deal that sent pitching prospects Dillon Tate, Cody Carroll and Josh Roger to Baltimore. Yankee fans, including myself would have rather seen Cashman trade for a starter, but the addition of Zach Britton is a step in the right direction for a few reasons.

The Yankees now have one of the most talented bullpens in the American League. The three headed monster of Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances and David Robertson has been pitching well, especially Chapman who is currently top 3 in American League saves. Chasen Shreve has recovered from his abysmal start to the season, and the rest of the bullpen has rounded out to form. Adam Warren, A.J. Cole and Chad Green have been pitched well, and Jonathan Holder has been stellar this year, posting a 1.76 ERA over 41 innings, with 36 strikeouts. This team is in a position where they feel confident their bullpen can hold a lead for Chapman or another big name at the end of the bullpen. 

Zach Britton adds another dimension to this cast of pitchers. After battling injuries for the past two years, the 30 year old left hander found himself in a closing role in Baltimore, beginning his season in June. While his ERA is 3.45, Britton has only given up 6 earned runs, putting up 0's in the run column in his last seven appearances, and posting 13 strikeouts in 15.2 innings. He had two bad appearances in June, but has since proved himself as one of the better relievers in the league so far.

I am a big fan of this trade, because it adds a fear factor to the bullpen. Now the Yankees, realistically only need their starter to get to the 6th inning. If in a close game they can have a lead in the 6th, manager Aaron Boone could choose to overkill the opponent with Robertson in the 6th, Britton in the 7th, Betances in the 8th and Chapman closing the game in the 9th. One of the things I've liked about Boone in his first campaign as manager is that he has not been afraid to throw Robertson, Betances and Chapman all in the same game, displaying his will to win. Adding Britton makes this bullpen one of the most dangerous in the game, and the added factor that both the Astros and Red Sox were going after Britton as well makes this trade all the more sweet. 

The next step for Cashman should be to find a starting pitcher he doesn't have to overpay for. Chris Archer is rumored to be on the move out of Tampa Bay, and would be a valuable asset to pitch behind Severino. For now, the Jacob DeGrom rumors have cooled off, but another mets ace, Zach Wheeler, seems to also be on the block and a target of the Yankees. Either of these two pitchers would make great additions to fix the Yankees starting rotation, the one aspect of the team holding them back from title contention.

It's Not Always Sonny In New York

Last trade deadline, Brian Cashman made a move for a starting pitcher that he and the Yankee community believed would be the star arm this team was looking for. This trade deadline, the front office and the fans are holding their heads in their hands watching their second "star pitcher" sabotage the team from the inside. Sonny Gray has posted a 5.85 ERA with a 5-7 record this season. In his 17 starts so far this season, about five haven't been atrocious.

The need for the Yankees to add another star pitcher into their rotation is paramount for future success this season. Houston has a juggernaut rotation, Boston is playing stellar baseball, and the rest of the American League is not too far behind. There is a plethora of role-playing pitchers in the Yankees clubhouse currently, players like Domingo German and Jonathan Loaisiga, along with the best farm system in baseball. Severino is the ace, C.C has been pitching well, and Tanaka is hurt. Getting rid of Sonny Gray will not only solve a problem for the rotation, but strengthen the team in a time where two of their starters are injured. Dumping Sonny Gray off to a team with a valuable asset in return is the way to go for the New York Yankees. Here are some potential options for trades I believe would be beneficial for both teams involved.

1. Jacob DeGrom and the New York Mets
This has been the top trade rumor since the beginning of the season. The mets are in disarray, except for DeGrom, who in 115 innings for the Mets has gathered a 1.79 ERA, only giving up 23 earned runs paired with 142 strikeouts. DeGrom is no fit for the Mets right now. They need to improve, and the only way to get better is to add pieces, which the Yankees have. The Mets will ask for either Gleyber Torres or Miguel Andujar for their ace, but Cashman is adamant on keeping those two around. If the Yankees were to offer Clint Frazier, Sonny Gray and some star prospects like Estevan Florial and Albert Abreu, I could see the Mets biting on the hook. Frazier has proven himself to be a worthy day to day player, Sonny Gray would need some fine tuning and possibly a minors stint to get his groove back, and Florial and Abreu add youth and potential star power to a team that needs both of those things very much. A Yankee rotation with DeGrom and Severino is exactly what they need to pass Houston come October, and the Mets need a top to bottom rebuild which can happen after this trade.

2. J.A. Happ and the Toronto Blue Jays
While inter-division trades, especially mid season are rare, this is one that could happen. The Blue Jays sit at 41-47 today, 16 games back of the first place Boston Red Sox. As it seems like the AL East is turning into a two horse race as the all-star break approaches, Toronto could want to make some moves. Happ is in his final year of a three year deal, and a rental period before a possible signing with the Yankees could be good for his career. The Blue Jays would need some youth in return, however the haul for the Blue Jays wouldn't be as substantial as what the Mets would acquire. Here, we could see a Sonny Gray and two prospects to the Blue Jays for Happ, or Sonny Gray and Clint Frazier with a prospect. The doubts around this trade lie more in will the Blue Jays help out the Yankees, a division rival, more than will the Jays give up Happ. They're looking to get younger, and a proven veteran arm like Happ may not fit the team's vision going forward. This is a trade I'd be excited to see.


There are many other trades possible that could get Sonny Gray the hell out of New York, but I feel these two would be the most sucessfull. Both are proven pitchers who excel against the top offenses this league has to offer. Happ is familiar pitching against the Red Sox and Astros, the Yankees two biggest competitors come playoff time. So long as Gray is off this team by July 31st, I'll be happy. He is an anchor that will continue to drag this playoff, possibly World Series bound team into the ground. As it stands right now, Gray should be in the bullpen for the remainder of the season and into the playoffs. Brian Cashman, do what you do best. Wheel and deal Sonny Gray around the league and out of New York, so the team can finally get the veteran ace it's been looking for.

NBA Free Agency: The Decision Part 3

Another NBA season has concluded, which means it has come time for a league wide reshuffle. Teams who fell short of their goals will attempt to buy, sell and draft their way back into the playoffs. Contenders will try and do whatever it takes to add that one extra piece they felt they were missing in their last campaign. Free agents will waltz around the league listening to multi-million dollar offers left and right until they feel they found their new, or same place in the league. This summer of free agency is sure to not disappoint, with LeBron James and Paul George yielding most of the attention. Kawhi Leonard wants out of San Antonio after a disastrous season filled with mismanagement, harsh words and disappointment.

All three big name players have the opportunity to completely shake up the league. Their superstar skill levels have the opportunities to fill in the missing piece for a contender, or send a team on the cusp to the next level. No player has that ability more than LeBron James, the biggest name on the market come July 1^st.

             A LeBron James free agency brings along all the media attention the sports world can conjure up. Experts and former players argue on television and radio about what they think is the spot LeBron will land. The latest criticism comes from a former teammate of James, Shaquille O’Neal, who gave LBJ advice based on his own career to not go chasing rings. Towards the end of Shaq’s career, he began a tour around the NBA to find more championships, stopping off in Boston, Cleveland and Phoenix, all unsuccessful attempts. The former Laker’s star center told LeBron his book is already finished, and adding pages to the index isn’t what he needs.

           

       Clearly Shaq didn’t compare his career to LeBron’s before making that claim. In Shaw’s 15^th season, he averaged 28.4 minutes, 17.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, in 40 games played. Comparatively, LeBron averaged 36.9 minutes, 27.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 9.1 assists, in all 82 games. While Shaq put up commendable numbers for a 15^th year player, he can’t compare himself to a man who is putting up higher numbers than he did in his prime. LeBron is not in a “championship chasing” situation. He has the ability to elevate a team to the next level. Teams shopping for LeBron in free agency are the ones championship chasing. LeBron is not at the end of his rope, and his statistics and physicality suggest it. LeBron averaged over 40 minutes per game in the playoffs, sometimes coming off the floor for a minute or two every game.

           

James, if he chooses to leave Cleveland, would be an invaluable asset to any team around the league. Most of the rumors so far center around James landing in Los Angeles, based off the news that his son, LeBron James Jr, enrolled in private high school in LA. While this is can be considered a hint to where LeBron will land, no one should consider this a done deal. James has plenty of meetings set up this summer all over the league, and it still remains a question as to where he will land. If his goal is to “chase” rings and surpass Michael Jordan as the greatest basketball player of all time, staying in Cleveland is not the choice, unless they add a big name free agent or trade piece. While Los Angeles seems like the top choice as of now, take a look at the team they have. Even without a trade for Kawhi Leonard, this team is in shambles. Lonzo Ball did not develop into the rookie of the year candidate he was built up to be, and the team lacks a true star outside of their young guns, Kyle Kuzma and Lonzo Ball. Their finances are riddled with awful contracts that would be difficult to offload. If I was a general manager of an NBA team, I’m not actively seeking to pay Luol Deng just over $17 million/year for the next three years. Brook Lopez, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Julius Randle and Isaiah Thomas are all free agents, with questions surrounding who gets signed.

            Let’s say Magic Johnson pulls out all the stops and can land LeBron. It is common understanding that they will land another big name, and if LeBron signs does Paul George follow, or vice versa? Even with LeBron and PG, there is no way this Laker team is deep enough to make a run, especially in the incredibly competitive Western Conference. LeBron’s quest to take down the Warriors does not pass through Los Angeles where the team is arguably worse than the team he is leaving, and seeing the warriors earlier in the post season doesn’t bode well for the king.

            “Well what if the Lakers get Kawhi in a trade?” People who believe Kawhi will go to Los Angeles really need to think about what they’re saying. First of all, Los Angeles would have to lose their best young talent, Kyle Kuzma, and the up and coming Brandon Ingram AT THE MINIMUM. On top of those players, another piece would more than likely need to be moved, along with a plethora of draft picks. So sure, they get Kawhi too. They’re looking at a possible starting lineup of Lonzo Ball, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James and a center TBD. What’s left after that is basically the equivalent of a high school varsity team. There is no talent in LA, and bringing in three superstars on huge contracts, as well as dishing out the majority of their current talent is not the route to go for the Larry O’Brien trophy. Second, and more importantly, why would Popovich and the Spurs send their best player to a conference rival? When Paul George wanted out of Indiana, Larry Bird very smartly sent him to Oklahoma City, an out of conference team. Gregg Popovich is one of the greatest coaches of all time, and he is not stupid enough to send Kawhi to a rival. When Carmelo wanted out of New York and wanted to end up in Houston, the Knicks sent him to Oklahoma City. It is clear that in this league, players who want out of their current team before their contract is up don’t always get what they want. More on Kawhi later.

            So now that LA is basically ruled out, where else can James go? Some people think Boston, but that would cause overcrowding in minutes and ball distribution, possibly causing Boston some team chemistry. What I don’t get about Celtics fans crying for LeBron to come is are they not satisfied? With arguably their two best players out for the playoffs with injuries, the young Celtics team took LeBron and the Cavs to a Game seven. Once they add Kyrie and Gordon Hayward back into the lineup, they could really make a run in June. I’m a firm believer of the saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Boston played unbelievably without Irving and Hayward, so imagine what potential they have if the entire team is healthy. Sure, it may mean Rozier and Tatum experience serious minute reduction, but a team where Jayson Tatum and Terry Rozier need to come off the bench sounds like a contending team to me.

            The place for LeBron has to be Philadelphia. I truly believe the sixers are one piece away from really making noise in the league, and LeBron could be that piece. He has publically said he likes Philly, and that team has the most upside. Simmons, James and Embiid sounds like a great big three to lead a team. Allowing Simmons and Embiid to learn the game from LeBron only improves their chances of winning year after year, including if and when LeBron retires and the team sticks together. LeBron should play the small forward position, with Simmons or Fultz running point, Reddick at the two if he re-signs, then Dario Saric and Joel Embiid in the front court. I see that team demolishing the Eastern Conference and shocking the Warriors to win the Finals.

            Now that leaves Paul George to sign somewhere. After the Oklahoma City Thunder were embarrassingly eliminated by the Utah Jazz in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, everyone and their mother wrote PG13 out of Oklahoma City and directly to Los Angeles. George has expressed interest in playing for LA since his days as a Pacer, hoping to either get traded there or jump on the bandwagon during free agency. George’s first free agency will be an interesting one, however I believe he should stay put. Since I see very little practicality in LeBron landing in Los Angeles, I’ll use the same reasoning for Paul. Why go? The team is garbage, and George, as much as he wants to play for the hometown team, would be stupid to go there. He needs to stay in Oklahoma City. Sure, his first year didn’t go as well as it could have. But leaving Russell Westbrook after just one season is idiotic. George has said the Thunder had problems jelling together as a team, and their timing and chemistry was off for a long time, which anyone who watched the Thunder at some point this season would agree with.

            If I’m Paul George, I’m giving time with Russ a second chance. He has said he liked how Oklahoma City operates as a franchise. He developed a chemistry with Andre Roberson, who got injured after win six of a win streak for Oklahoma City. A thunder blog hints that George wants to run it back in OKC with a healthy Roberson, who is considered to be a draw to stay of sorts for George.

            So, LeBron to Philly and George stays in Oklahoma City. Now what about Kawhi? What NBA fans need to remember is that Leonard is under contract with the Spurs for another season, and despite all his demands to be traded, he could be suiting up in the black and silver come October. As I mentioned before, Popp would be stupid to send him to LA, or any Western Conference team for that matter. Where can he land? While it’s unlikely the Spurs play a role in creating a new super team in the East, Philly has the most to offer San Antonio. Simmons demonstrated the ability to play the point during Fultz’s absence, possibly paving the way for Fultz to get shipped out, possibly alongside Saric, Covington and future picks. If San Antonio received that offer, it would be hard to turn down. That would create a starting lineup for the sixers of Simmons, Reddick, Leonard, James and Embiid. Boston, Houston and Golden State would be the only other teams in the league with the firepower to take that team down, and even those teams would struggle doing that.

            According to Leonard, there is still a possible meeting between Popp and Leonard in the mix, which would ideally pave the way for his return to the court. Personally, it seems like it would take a lot on San Antonio’s part to reconcile with their supposed franchise player. The medical staff grossly mishandled his injury, causing more missed playing time then Leonard cared for, similar to what happened with Spurs legend Tony Parker recently. Popp has also ridiculed Kawhi’s family, calling Leonard’s Uncle a poison in Kawhi’s life. If I was Kawhi, I’d really struggle with making up and moving on. If the drama and disagreement continues, Kawhi could be sent off somewhere in the East, and for his sake, hopefully Philly. LA seems unlikely, and Leonard has listed the Knicks as a possible spot, but even as a Knicks fan, I don’t see an offer they can put together to convince the Spurs to send Kawhi away.

            July 1^st is slowly approaching, and with it will come a new landscape for the NBA. Not to be forgotten in all of the free agency talk is the NBA Draft, which could end up altering decisions to be made by the league’s best. All us fans can do is sit, speculate and wait.