Report Yankees Closing Secret Deal To Sign Mets MVP In A Blockbuster Trade
An extract of this tale appeared in Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat newsletter. Go here to view the newsletter in its entirety. And sign up to receive it in your inbox on a regular basis.
Michael Tonkin, who had slightly blurry eyes, got up from a chair in front of his designated locker in the visitors’ clubhouse of American Family Field in Milwaukee on April 26. He then pocketed his phone. After being released by two major league organizations in a month he called “chaotic,” the right-hander, 34, had just lost his Yankees debut after blowing a save.
Tonkin spoke that night about baseball being “tough.” He almost seemed to be bracing for an inevitable nudge from one of the coaches, a combination package of bad news and instructions: “Thanks for coming, nice to meet you, here’s where to pick up your stuff.” Unlike in previous stops this year with the Twins and Mets, that message never came.
Instead, Tonkin pitched well a couple of nights later, then again on May 2, then again a few more times the following week. Before long, Tonkin had gained points in manager Aaron Boone’s trust circle, an ascendance that led to the journeyman logging his second big league save Monday night in Kansas City.
I feel like I’m no longer afraid of getting tapped on the shoulder following each game now that I’m in this position. Thus, all of it is somewhat helpful, said Tonkin. I feel like I’m kind of in a place now where I don’t have to worry too much about the future. Of course, though, I still have to go out and perform my duties.
that he has carried out. Tonkin has thrown to a razor-sharp 0.89 ERA in 14 appearances with the Yankees over 20 1/3 innings, giving up only 12 hits and seven walks while striking out 19.
