How about trading Stanton for a boatload of young talent? (Includes eating some of his $$$).

1) Yeah that Stanton contract is awful. Maybe they can fleece the Dodgers before the Red Sox do? I remember reading about how the Yanks approached the Stanton deal and felt like they wouldn't have to bid against anyone else, as Stanton pretty much forced the Marlin's hand. I heard that top brass thought that they could jump in for an impact player and get him instead of Harper and Machado, who would likely be much more expensive.

I hear the Yanks are looking for a bullpen arm to replace Betances, and I think Betances should be brought back, if they can get him with a reasonable contract. They have a little animosity between them already with arbitration, and it sucks that Dellin's first swing at FA comes after his achilles injury. He has a live arm, and can play in NY. He struggles a bit but so does every bullpen guy at times, that is not named Mo Rivera.

The Yanks look set now, and while dumping Happ's salary or getting Andujar and Big Red traded for another piece seems tantalizing, the Yanks may be better served to wait and see what Spring Training brings in case someone goes down and then they can plus one of those 3 in, or use them to plug a hole.

If there is a lesson from last year, it is that anything can happen.

How about a resolution of the German situation. It's been long enough, leading me to think there is some fire there, so I expect a suspension.

Shake Shack or 5 Guys maybe?

[2] Despite his tape measure home-runs, there is nothing I enjoy about Stanton's game. His swing is aesthetically unpleasant (analysis!)

I want a better back up catcher. Love to Kyle Higgy but he really cannot hit.

I think Stanto is still trying to figure out Yankee Stadium..

[5] Well, they proved they can win without Stanton. The question is, can they win with him?

I sure hope they hang on to Andujar. His bat is one of a kind.

I do like how Cole referenced Marvin Miller and Curt Flood in the presser. Is there a biography on the latter out there somewhere?

[8] I know one, but I don't think it's the kind of thing you would like. It's written by some blogger.

You might try "Well Paid Slave" by Brad Snyder. He's a Georgetown Law Professor and the book was about the case crating free agency. Got a good write up in the NYT (about 1999).

[9] They're the worst... never serious, play too many games, hardly ever get to the point...

Hearing some talk about the Yanks looking for a left handed bat, like Schwerber. Really? They do need a lefty bat, but that person needs to play at least a LITTLE D, given that we have enough DH's to stuff a turkey.

Struggling former blue chip Chase Adams (he whom was DFA'd to make room for Cole) traded to the Royals for light-hitting high-A infielder Cristian Perez.

Either this was the best Cashman could do in a pinch, or he sees another Didi that the Royals didn't; we'll see in time. As for Adams, I've thought for the last couple of years he would eventually hang it up and get either a coaching or scouting gig since the Yanks have skipped promoting him outright more than a few times, but I suppose he's got a couple more years to figure out if he can make it in the bigs or not. Good tidings, Chance.