Jane Heller

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author

Whaaaat?

stephen-drew-mlb-new-york-yankees-tampa-bay-rays-850x560

I know it’s a new year and I’m supposed to be all cheery and optimistic, but when I read earlier today that the Yankees are on the verge (I guess that means the ink isn’t quite dry) of re-signing Stephen Drew to be our second baseman, I threw a hissy fit. Does Cashman have amnesia? Does he not remember that the guy can’t hit? Did he forget that he traded away Martin Prado, a guy who not only can hit but play other positions? Did he have a brain freeze that we already have a more-than-decent prospect named Rob Refsnyder? Maybe $5 million is no big deal to the Yankees and they don’t mind throwing it away on Drew for a year, but I mind. I do. I mind a lot.

(Had to get this off my chest. Whew.)

And I’m still waiting for Max Scherzer. Yoohoo, Cashman! He’s expensive but he can pitch!

Hello and Goodbye

Photo: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Photo: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

david_phelps_yankees_2_031113

Wasn’t Martin Prado supposed to be the Yankees’ second baseman now that Chase Headley is back? Wasn’t David Phelps supposed to be either a back-end starter or the long man out of the bullpen? They were both pretty good, so I’m still scratching my head over the trade today that sent them to the Marlins for a bunch of guys I’ve never heard of. Not that my knowledge of the Marlins or any National League team is anything to brag about, but why? Was Nathan Eovaldi really worth shipping out Prado and Phelps? He’s young and durable but his numbers aren’t great and I’d rather have Scherzer in the rotation (duh).

As for the other two we got, fine. Whatever. I hope Cashman knows what he’s doing. Domingo German sounds like a very interesting prospect, but I wouldn’t mind winning a few games in the near term, as in 2015.

 

Baseball Always Surprises

Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

And not just because it was Esmil Rogers who did the Gatorade honors last night at the Stadium instead of the injured Brett Gardner. There were so many unlikely aspects to the finale against the Rays.

Early on in the game, the Yanks were getting no-hit and it felt like another night of offensive futility. I kept saying, “Why am I even watching this?” But then Chris Young, an unlikely hero if ever there was one, broke things up and, later, won it with his walkoff homer. Also unlikely? That Martin Prado would come off the bench, hamstring aching, and smack one out. I hope he didn’t reinjure himself by staying in the game.

And then there were the two not-so-happy surprises: Jeter getting hit in the elbow and poor Headley getting hit on the chin – on the same night that the Marlins’ Giancarlo took one in the face during their game against the Brewers and had to be carried off on a stretcher. Jeez. What amazed me was, intentional or not, these pitchers weren’t warned or ejected or anything. Sure, they were shaken up – who wouldn’t be? – but professional guys shouldn’t be throwing at the heads of batters, period. If your control is that bad at this point in the season, go do something else for a living. Ugh. At least Headley wasn’t hit in the neck/throat/windpipe, which I had initially feared.

What does the Rays series mean to the Yankees’ playoff hopes? Nothing, if you ask me. But it was nice to see the team get a boost. The players looked excited and happy and that made me happy too.

 

The Devil Doesn’t Wear Prado

Prado baseball card

Walkoffs are so exciting and Martin Prado’s single in the bottom of the ninth against the White Sox was no exception. I was on my feet cheering while Prado was getting mobbed by his teammates. He’s been playing well, both with the bat and the glove, and I’m glad he’s in pinstripes. Tonight’s heroics weren’t necessarily the start of the Yankees’ climb toward the playoffs, but the game was enjoyable nonetheless. Greene, like just about all the starters, was great after his initial floundering. The pitchers haven’t been the problem, as evidenced by McCarthy’s stellar performance against the Astros the day before to avoid a truly humiliating sweep. (I’m loving the fiery Cervelli as catcher. He seems to pull every last drop of energy out of his pitchers.) It’s the offense that’s been so frustrating. But for tonight at least the four runs were enough to get it done.

The Devil Doesn't Wear Prado

Prado baseball card

Walkoffs are so exciting and Martin Prado’s single in the bottom of the ninth against the White Sox was no exception. I was on my feet cheering while Prado was getting mobbed by his teammates. He’s been playing well, both with the bat and the glove, and I’m glad he’s in pinstripes. Tonight’s heroics weren’t necessarily the start of the Yankees’ climb toward the playoffs, but the game was enjoyable nonetheless. Greene, like just about all the starters, was great after his initial floundering. The pitchers haven’t been the problem, as evidenced by McCarthy’s stellar performance against the Astros the day before to avoid a truly humiliating sweep. (I’m loving the fiery Cervelli as catcher. He seems to pull every last drop of energy out of his pitchers.) It’s the offense that’s been so frustrating. But for tonight at least the four runs were enough to get it done.

So Let Me Get This Straight

stephen_drew

The centerpiece of the Yankees’ trade deadline activity is (drum roll) Stephen Drew for Kelly Johnson? Stephen Drew, the guy we didn’t sign when he was a free agent? The guy Cashman said will be our new second baseman now that Brian Roberts has been DFA-ed? The guy who’s played shortstop exclusively for his entire career? Haven’t we learned anything about people playing out of position and it never works? I just don’t get it.

And then there are the assorted others who seem to have joined the team. I have no real opinion about either Martin Prado or  Esmil Rogers. Never heard of them, but if Cashman says they’ll help the cause, fine. They just aren’t the help I was banking on. Not when the Orioles, Tigers and A’s, in particular, have really bolstered their respective rosters. We look like we’re treading water by comparison, and maybe that’s the plan. Just tread water until next season.

Meanwhile, we move into a weekend series against the Red Sox without Lester and Lackey. Weird, isn’t it?

Follow Me!

  • Jane Heller on Goodreads
  • Jane Heller on Pinterest
  • Jane Heller on Facebook
  • Jane Heller on Twitter

Get in touch!

I’d love to hear from you! Contact me!

About Jane Heller

Jane Heller is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her fourteen breezy, witty novels of romantic comedy and suspense are now entertaining millions of readers around the world, along with her two books of nonfiction.