The Astros with Carlos Correa.Īnd the Red Sox had to do it with Devers, who was such a smash as a 20-year-old rookie in 2017 (remember that homer off Aroldis Chapman?) and struggled enough on both sides of the ball last year that he lost hold of a full-time job. The Cubs have had to ask it about the offensive decline of Kris Bryant, Willson Contreras and Kyle Schwarber. Do you keep working through those issues for the potential long-term payoff or reel in the surer-thing solution? That would necessitate a move across the diamond to first or out of town for Andujar.Īnd the whole process underscores what happens when a win-now team has young, talented players with overt defects. Plus, they have been mulling a run at Machado, who likely would play shortstop while Didi Gregorius heals after Tommy John surgery and then flip to third when Gregorius returns. I am resurrecting this because the Yankees had at least thought about using Andujar to pursue a big-time starter such as Corey Kluber or Noah Syndergaard. I was working ahead, and that would have been my pregame column if there had been a Game 5. I had asked Cora and others whom they would take in what could turn out to be a long-running battle within this rivalry between young, talented but flawed third basemen: Andujar or Boston’s Rafael Devers. I confirmed recently with Cora that I had all the details in my notebook correct. In case you think this is gamesmanship offered by the Boston manager to build up the current third baseman as a way to dissuade the Yankees from signing Manny Machado, then know this: Cora told me the story during the ALCS. “I told him, ‘You’re a good player,’” Cora said. Though his team was just about to have the opportunity to clinch a series against its most heated foe, Boston’s manager decided to give a pep talk to New York’s third baseman. So Aaron Boone inserted the surer defense of Neil Walker, a choice made easier because the Red Sox were starting righty Rick Porcello at Yankee Stadium.Ĭora opted for kindness ahead of Rivalry. CC Sabathia was going for the Yankees, which, with his cutter, promised lots of grounders to third by righty hitters. The Red Sox manager figured Andujar was downcast over not starting. This was during Yankees batting practice before AL Division Series Game 4. LAS VEGAS - Alex Cora detected sadness in Miguel Andujar’s body language. Mets can look to rival Braves as role models in middling start

History is in Brian Cashman's corner even if Yankees' frailty isn't More important than Anthony Volpe's Rookie of the Year case, it's clear he is cut out to play in New York The formula that has Rays on track for historic season - even if they cool down Mets may have best chance to get right after another week of weak baseball

Temptation by kris bryant