Cody Morris to Yankees; he's a pretty talented RH pitcher but has not much big league success; for Estevan Florial overrated NYY OF who's not had big league success, but he is a power hitting OF when he can make contact. [yet another left handed bat]

Entering the 2019 season, Florial was ranked New York’s top prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.

Florial has played in a handful of big league games over the past three seasons. He exceeded his rookie status in 2022, but still hasn’t played more than 19 games in a single Major League season. Spending most of the year in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the 26-year-old hit .284 with a .945 OPS, 23 doubles, 28 homers, 79 RBIs and 25 stolen bases in 101 games.

For an offense desperately in need of power, Florial’s pop will be a welcomed asset. The problem Florial experienced in New York was his strikeout ratio. In the Minors in 2023, he struck out 144 times in 101 contests. In ’22, he struck out 140 times in 101 games. The Guardians finished ’23 with the lowest strikeout rate in the Majors (18.7%). If they can get some power, they can afford to take on a few more Ks.

from the Yankees perspective, it sounds almost precisely like the same language

NEW YORK -- The Yankees moved to address their pitching depth on Tuesday by acquiring right-hander Cody Morris from the Guardians in exchange for outfielder Estevan Florial.

Morris, 27, posted a 6.75 ERA in six relief appearances for Cleveland this past season. Over 13 career appearances (five starts) spanning two big league seasons (2022-23), Morris is 1-2 with a 3.41 ERA to go with 32 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings.

The Yankees lost a significant number of arms in their recent trades for outfielders Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo, dealing four pitchers to the Padres in the Soto swap and three to the Red Sox for Verdugo. Having both started and relieved in the Majors, Morris could slot in as a contender for the No. 5 starter’s job or work out of the bullpen.

So, the FO is still working these no-name deals. Names like Bieber, Naylor and Clase, with Straw as a throw in, would wake up the hot stove.

My question today is with the Florial deal, is Outman out?

Excerpted from Joe's Winter Ball post:

Arias in 26 games is hitting .222 with zero HR’s and a .563 OPS. 24-108, 7R, 9(2B), 7RBI, 2SB, 3BB, 25SO

Wow, that's worse than he hit in the US

Considering the depth chart now lists Arias as an OF I think we know who will be the SS. Brayan !

2024: is this our Year?

No reason to think so, but someday we have to get lucky, don't we?

Nothing that a couple of power bats won't cure.
We don't need gold glovers.
With this pitching staff we need a couple of reliable defensive players who can produce and put points on the board.

That's being a little more optimistic than me; since first of all we have to acquire the power bats [are they the young guys we've acquired?]; second hope that McKenzie is healthy and that all 3 sophomore starters continue to develop; and next need more solid work from the bullpen -- which could be helped if we get more innings from the starters.
That's a fair amount to ask for.

Here we are in the new year and I'm reminded of the Dusty Springfield lyrics

Wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin'
Plannin' and dreamin'

6 weeks to ST and I expect a flurry of moves between now and then that will make our heads spin

Yeah, right.

For TFIR, Civ, Rusty, Joez, Uncle Dennis, Eomcdoc and a few others that still post here.

Go to the Spring Training 2017 (starts in 2012) folder.

Geezers like me like looking back to the Good Old Days.

Names like JR, Denver Lou, Tampa Steve, Loufla, TribeFan in SC/Cali, kenm, Frank Kreutz, Vt'er brought back some good memories.

Unfortunately, ST in 2012 was a disaster as was the 2012 season.

ST and the regular season in 2012 showed a team that lacked bats, a manager that was untested, and injuries that kept happening and a FO that couldn't solve the problems.

Do the same problems that existed 12 years ago still exist?

Hopin' and wishin' they are not

and Donna

Sorry. How could I forget Donna?

Forgot Hillbilly too.

I apologize if I forgot to mention anyone else from days of yore.

Almost 30 years !