Latest news with #Escarra
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Yankees trade idea swaps rookie for former Cy Young Award candidate
The New York Yankees could be on the hunt for starting pitchers at the trade deadline. Could they make a run at a former Cy Young Award candidate? Gerrit Cole has been out all season and Clarke Schmidt's season is also over. Luis Gil is working his way back, and Ryan Yarbrough could return soon as well. However, the Yankees could use a more reliable starter in their rotation. Dylan Cease could be on the market, according to ESPN's Buster Olney. Cease is not having his best year and will be a free agent after this season. However, since 2021, he has a 3.67 ERA, and he has finshed top five in Cy Young Award voting twice. He was the runner-up in 2022. The Padres could look to move him, but they would need to be getting a player who can help them continue to contend this year. The Padres need an upgrade at catcher, and upgrading at the trade deadline may not be ideal, but FanSided's Christopher Kline suggested the Yankees offer J.C. Escarra to the Padres in exchange for Cease. Elias Díaz and Martín Maldanado both have a negative WAR this year. Escarra's opportunities on the Yankees are limited, thanks to Ben Rice and Austin Wells. However, Escarra is a great pitch framer and could have some upside offensively with more if Cease is not having his best year, he could be a solid option behind Max Fried, Carlos Rodón and Gil. When Yarbrough returns, the Yankees would not have to rely on Cam Schlittler or Marcus Stroman in October, at least not as starters. More MLB:
Newsweek
7 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Yankees Predicted to Trade 'Sneaky' Target to Padres After Dylan Cease News
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The New York Yankees are looking for upgrades ahead of the trade deadline and they might have to part with some big-league talent in order to land them. As the team looks to recapture a lead in the American League East division and ultimately return to the World Series this fall, its shopping list includes relievers, a third baseman and a starting pitcher capable of slotting in alongside Max Fried, Carlos Rodon and, eventually, Luis Gil. And now a new frontline starter could be on the trade block. "A surprise name has emerged in the starting pitcher market: Dylan Cease, who will be eligible for free agency at year's end," ESPN's Buster Olney reported. "Perception of other teams is that the (San Diego) Padres are intent on making a push for the playoffs, and would use Cease to help fill other roster needs." Olney added that "AL East teams" have inquired about Cease and the Yankees might have a player that intrigues the Padres in backup catcher JC Escarra. CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 27: Dylan Cease #84 of the San Diego Padres seen in action during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 27, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio.... CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 27: Dylan Cease #84 of the San Diego Padres seen in action during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 27, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by) More Mowry/Getty "Escarra is a sneaky popular trade target league-wide," CBS Sports' Mike Axisa wrote. "I'm betting on Escarra being a pleasant surprise down the stretch, taking over as the starting catcher, and giving the Padres much more offense behind the plate while being no downgrade defensively. ... The Yankees can afford to trade Escarra because Austin Wells is entrenched as the starting catcher and Ben Rice has begun to see more action behind the plate as a way to get his bat in the lineup." Though Escarra is a rookie and Cease could be just a rental if he ends up leaving in free agency, a swap of the two would allow the Yankees to fortify an area of need while dealing from one of strength. With the trade deadline rapidly approaching and a long list of needs ahead, that's the kind of move that might appeal to the Bronx Bombers. More MLB: Dodgers Predicted to Replace Tanner Scott With Trade for Reliever of the Year
Miami Herald
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Ex-FIU standout J.C. Escarra getting set for August 1-3 homecoming against Marlins
Baby, what a time to be alive. Juan Carlos Escarra III was born a couple of weeks ago in the middle of the greatest year of his father's life. That baby's father – known as J.C. Escarra – played at Mater Academy and then FIU before wandering around baseball's minor leagues for eight years. After getting released by the Baltimore Orioles in April of 2022, Escarra played for the Gastonia Honey Hunters in independent baseball, the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League and Ponce in Puerto Rican winter ball, among others. Finally, this year, on March 29, Escarra made his major-league debut as a pinch-hitter and a backup catcher for perhaps the most famous team in all of American sports, the New York Yankees. 'I can talk a lot more about what the major leagues are,' Escarra, 30, told The Herald during this week's All-Star break. 'It's steak and shrimp. It's five-star hotels. It's 40,000 fans every night. It is, bro. I'm living the dream.' Indeed, the video of Escarra sitting in the Yankees clubhouse this past March and calling to tell his Cuban-born mother, Marinelys, that he had made the Yankees out of spring training is a tear-jerker. Said Escarra: 'Acabo de hablar con (Yankees manager) Boone,' (I just talked to Boone.) His mom, sensing some important news: 'No, dime!' (No, tell me!) Escarra: 'Vamos para Nueva York!' (We're going to New York!) At that point, Escarra's mom starts screaming. Escarra is smiling … and then seconds later wiping away tears. 'I saw the video again just yesterday,' Escarra said on Wednesday. 'It never gets old. It still makes me cry.' On Tuesday, Escarra flew home to Hialeah, where he and his wife, Jocelyn, own an apartment they share with their newborn son. Jocelyn and the baby will join J.C. in New York as soon as the little guy is able to travel. Years from now, Juan Carlos Escarra III will be able to read a book about his father, watch a movie about his dad and also a documentary because all of that is in the works. TIGHT FAMILY The story starts in Cuba where J.C. Escarra's parents, Marinelys and Juan Carlos, were born. They met and settled in Hialeah with their two sons, J.C. and Michael Derek Escarra, whose middle name – ironically – was given in honor of former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. J.C. said his father worked three jobs while Marinelys went to nursing school. Money was tight, but Escarra said he never lacked for anything. 'Growing up, my pops put me in baseball,' Escarra said. 'There was never a tournament that my mom and dad didn't take me to. They didn't make a lot of money, but they always got me private coaching, and they didn't mind.' Escarra met Jocelyn in ninth-grade biology class at Mater Academy, and they started dating a couple years later. 'I didn't like him at first,' Jocelyn said with a laugh. 'No, I did, but he was after me a little more. 'It's his personality (that won me over). He's always happy, he's always smiling, and he's always positive.' While that relationship was starting to blossom, Escarra was making his mark as a Mater Academy baseball player. Eddie Gorriz, the coach at Mater at the time, said Escarra had 'really good hands and a cannon for an arm.' Escarra was a corner infielder, and Kevin Abraham, who later played for Florida Atlantic University, was Mater's catcher. 'Since J.C. is a lefty hitter who throws righty,' Gorriz said, 'the scouts would be all over me to put him behind the dish.' Escarra said Mets scout Mike Silvestri was the first person to suggest he should play catcher. But Escarra had no experience at the position, and Gorriz was trying to win games not please scouts. Translation: The only catching experience Escarra got in high school was in intra-squad games. Even so, the Mets drafted Escarra – as a catcher – in the 32nd round in 2013. Getting drafted so low, it was fairly easy for Escarra to turn down the Mets, opting to play at FIU. But as an FIU freshman in 2014, Escarra sat behind catcher Aramis Garcia, who went on to get drafted by the Giants in the second round that year. For the next three years at FIU, Escarra played catcher only sporadically and was instead used mostly at DH and first base. Escarra also missed his junior season due to shoulder surgery. On the positive side, he earned his Bachelor's degree from FIU in 2017, majoring in Recreation and Sports Management. Also that year, J.C. and Jocelyn got engaged. It happened after an FIU baseball game. Unbeknownst to Jocelyn, Escarra had all his family and friends remain in the stands. Ever the romantic, Escarra had arranged for giant letters to stretch from first to third base, and they read: WILL YOU MARRY ME? There were also rose petals, fireworks, a violinist and a 'yes' from Jocelyn. Capping off 2017, the Orioles drafted Escarra in the 15th round. Kelvin Colon, who was the Orioles area scout at the time, shared with The Herald the scouting report he wrote on Escarra eight years ago. 'Knows his role,' Colon wrote. 'Good leader. Winning-type player. Would consider drafting him in the ninth or 10th round.' The Orioles heeded that advice, taking Escarra a few rounds later. 'It was the (character) that drew me,' Colon said. 'Being a late-round draftee, you have to be passionate about the game. 'He comes from a blue-collar Cuban-American family. That's his foundation, and I knew he would do whatever it took to make it to the majors.' ADVERSITY HITS Escarra reached Triple-A in 2021, posting a .673 OPS in 58 games. But when the Orioles released him the following year, Escarra was devastated. The date of the release was April 6, 2022 – just six months before Escarra and Jocelyn were to be married. Escarra had a notion to quit baseball at that time, but his family wouldn't let him. To make ends meet, Escarra worked as an Uber driver, and there was also Jocelyn's salary as a teacher. In the meantime, Escarra – who had been used mostly as a first baseman in the Orioles organization – instructed his agent to find him a team that would allow him to play catcher. That led to seven different teams over the next two years before the Yankees signed him in January of 2024, sending Escarra to Double-A Somerset. At Somerset, Escarra played catcher behind Ben Rice, who is now the Yankees DH, and Agustin Ramirez, who this year has become a Marlins rookie sensation. In November of 2024, the Yankees put Escarra on their 40-man roster so that they would not lose him to minor-league free agency. Mervyl Melendez, who coached Escarra in his final season at FIU, completely gets why the Yankees would make that move. 'J.C.'s character is unbelievable,' Melendez said. 'In the year he played for me, J.C. got off to a slow start. I benched him for a few games to give him a mental break, and he came back and hit 15 homers the rest of the season. 'He never let his ego get in the way. As a pro, he went down to play independent ball – just a humble and persistent guy and one of the best human beings I've ever been around.' HARD AT WORK Escarra is one of only two former FIU players currently in the majors – the other is Cleveland pitcher Logan Allen. Beyond that, Escarra is also one of the hardest-working players in the majors. For a 7 p.m. home game, Escarra arrives at the stadium at about 12:30 or 12:45. A lot of that time prior to first pitch is spent in meetings as Escarra and starting catcher Austin Wells go over the scouting report on every opposing hitter. Escarra also has to know every opposing pitcher. Then there's on-field work – batting practice and fielding practice. 'A lot of meetings,' Escarra said. 'But it's our livelihood, and I wouldn't change it.' During games, even if Escarra is not playing, he is sitting next to Wells and Yankees catching coach Tanner Swanson. 'I'm locked in,' Escarra said. 'Let's say (Wells) stubs his toe, I'm expected to go in and hold it down.' As a catcher, Escarra said, he is constantly thinking 'three steps ahead,' reading swings and pondering who is on deck, for example. The Escarra family is also thinking ahead … to August 1-3 when the Yankees will visit the Marlins for three games. You can bet his family members will all be there, including Escarra's mother, who is still a nurse at Jackson Hospital; his brother, who is also a nurse at Jackson; and his father, who recently retired from Comcast at age 65. Another part of Escarra's core group of family members is his maternal grandmother, Maria Sosa. As stated, this is a blue-collar, tight-knit family. His parents went to Hialeah High, and they still live in the house where Escarra grew up. And Escarra, Jocelyn and the baby live just five minutes away. 'Whatever I've gone through in my career, my family has gone through it, too,' Escarra said. 'That's why it was so emotional when I finally made the majors.' A lot has changed for Escarra this year as he is now making a handsome salary – the major-league minimum is $760,000 per season. Escarra is also enjoying the big-city life that is part of the fabric of New York. 'There's a coffee shop on every corner,' he said. Escarra added that he's been recognized on the streets of New York a few times. 'Especially in the first couple of weeks after I made the team,' he said. 'That's when I was on The Today Show, and my story was really out there. 'it's incredible. Just last year I was a nobody, driving an Uber and just trying to get by, and now this. It's mind-blowing.'
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Yankees reliever Luke Weaver calls for catcher's interference infractions to be limited
TORONTO (AP) — Luke Weaver wants Major League Baseball to limit catcher's interference calls. With two on and one out in the seventh inning of a 4-4 game, the New York Yankees reliever thought he had struck out Toronto pinch-hitter Addison Barger. Then a video review determined Barger's bat nicked the mitt of rookie catcher J.C. Escarra, sending the batter to first and loading the bases. Advertisement Ernie Clement followed with a single off shortstop Anthony Volpe's glove to drive in the go-ahead run, George Springer hit a grand slam and Blue Jays won 12-5 Tuesday to close within a game of the AL East-leading Yankees. "It's just a real silly thing to happen,' Weaver said. Escarra, starting for the second straight day because of Austin Wells' circulation issue with his left index finger, was cited for interference in Monday's 5-4 loss. That call allowed Springer to reach in the sixth inning, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed with a tiebreaking, two-run single. 'It's pretty devastating, honestly,' Weaver said. 'I feel like that's a really unfortunate part of our game. I don't really personally think that belongs in our game. I think there should be some type of discretion to it. I understand that there are moments where it's very egregious, they hit the glove on a full swing, but you feel like you earned something there and it was taken from you.' Advertisement Catcher's interference calls have risen with the importance of pitch framing. There were 100 last year, up from 61 in 2021 and just nine in 2017. There were 45 this year through Monday. 'I was too close today,' Escarra said. 'I was just too deep in there trying to steal that low strike.' 'It's just trying to get the glove in the zone,' he added. 'If the pitch is out of the zone I'm just trying to move it as fast as possible up and forward to steal that strike, to make it look like a strike to umpires.' New York has been called for catcher's interference four times, one shy of Boston's major league-leading total and matching the Yankees final figure for 2024. Advertisement 'We're incredibly diligent on trying to eliminate that as much as possible,' Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. 'The checked swing, there should probably be something looked into that where a check swing can't get you beat like that.' Escarra's miscue was New York's only error Tuesday, but third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. made a wide throw to first on Davis Schneider's slow roller in the fourth, ruled an infield single. Two batters later, Andrés Giménez hit a three-run homer for a 4-2 lead. Asked whether he would consider moving Chisholm back to second base and shift DJ LeMahieu to third, Boone responded: 'We'll talk through that stuff. I think both guys are really talented defenders wherever they line up but we'll continue to look at things like that.' Yankees relievers have struggled during a 6-12 slide. The bullpen took a blow this week when Fernandez Cruz was diagnosed with a high-grade oblique strain. Advertisement 'Some of those guys have been leaned on heavily,' Boone said. 'It's on me to — I got to do a better job of getting those guys in positions where they can be successful.' ___ AP MLB: Ian Harrison, The Associated Press
New York Post
02-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
J.C. Escarra shoulders burden for costly Yankees catcher's interference
Access the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. Try it free TORONTO — Yankees catchers are among the best in the game at stealing strikes and framing pitches. But the potential downside of that skill came back to bite them Tuesday for a second straight game as J.C. Escarra's catcher's interference loomed large in a 12-5 loss to the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. With runners on first and second and one out in a tie game in the bottom of the seventh, Luke Weaver thought he had a called third strike on Addison Barger. But as the pinch hitter checked his swing on a full count, his bat hit Escarra's glove, which led the Blue Jays to call for a challenge that they won to load the bases in what became a five-run rally. 'He wasn't going to swing, but at the end of the day, I shouldn't have been too close like that,' Escarra said. 'Going forward, I've really got to make it a priority to not get too deep in there.' To help frame pitches, Escarra — starting a second straight game for Austin Wells as he recovered from invasive testing for a lack of circulation in his finger — gets close to the plate and tries to catch the ball before it gets too deep. J.C. Escarra of the New York Yankees reaches for a wild pitch during the sixth inning of their MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on June 30, 2025 Getty Images But that can sometimes lead to interfering with swings, which he did on Tuesday for the third time this season, tying him for the major league lead. 'We're incredibly diligent on trying to eliminate that as much as possible,' manager Aaron Boone said. 'It is something we lean into every hitter — who are we vulnerable with, who are we not — and we do that accordingly with our catchers. … It's something we continue to lean into and try to eliminate as much as we can while also trying to leverage the strike zone as much as we can.' That said, the Yankees had something of a bone to pick on this one because it came on a check swing. Barger was not actually offering on the pitch, but hit Escarra's glove, awarding him first base instead of a strikeout looking. 'Should probably be something looked into where a check swing can't get you beat like that,' Boone said. Weaver called it a 'confusing one' because he did not see it in real time and thought he had a big second out. Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. douses teammate George Springer with water after their victory over the New York Yankees in a baseball game in Toronto on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. AP 'It's pretty devastating, honestly,' Weaver said. 'I feel like that's a really unfortunate part of our game and I don't personally think that belongs in our game. I think there should be some type of discretion to it. 'I understand that there are moments where it's very egregious and they hit the ball on a full swing. You feel like you earned something there and it was taken from you. That's out of my control at that point. But just a real silly thing to happen.'
