Gleyber Moves On...

  

Gleyber Torres (Photo Credit: AP)

Torres, once a prized Baby Bomber, departs via free agency…

 I suppose it was inevitable.

Gleyber Torres, the prize of the 2016 trade that sent Closer Aroldis Chapman to the eventual World Champion Chicago Cubs, is a Yankee no more. Only yesterday people were continually asking if he was only twenty-one. Now twenty-eight, he seems like a shell of the player we once thought he would be, but admittedly, I was saddened to hear Saturday’s news that Gleyber had signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.

Gleyber Torres, Detroit Tigers 2B

Given the Yankees have not done anything to address third base or provide the final and much-needed bat to the lineup, the best-case scenario would be to re-sign Gleyber if the plan is to keep Jazz Chisholm, Jr at third base. I know, the poor . He had 709 OPS produced last season and had an atrocious defense at times, but I have always felt he was capable of more (better). Sometimes, it is best to just cut bait rather than delay the inevitable. I was grateful last season when Gleyber improved his performance in the second half, and he did an admirable job batting lead-off. Alas, it was not enough to convince the Yankees he was worth bringing back.

Ironically, Gleyber will now play for the manager who led the Trash Can Astros and their cheating ways. Oh well, I hope Gleyber does well enough on his one-year deal to justify a more lucrative contract next offseason. I will always be disappointed it did not work out and wish there had been a different outcome. However, a change of scenery for both sides was needed. As such, it was the only viable outcome.

Gleyber finishes his seven-year Yankees career with 888 games played. In 3,673 plate appearances, he hit 138 home runs and drove in 441 runs. His batting line was .265/.334/.441 with .774 OPS. Unfortunately, he also accumulated 106 errors, including eighteen this past season. He had a career .967 fielding percentage with the Yankees. He is what he is. He can help you with his bat, but he will give a few runs away with his glove.

We move on.

Jazz Chisholm, Jr is a talented guy. With Gleyber removed as a second base option, Jazz becomes my favorite for the position opening third base. While Jazz did a decent job at third base, I want a tried-and-true third baseman who can effectively field and hit. Is that too much to ask? I have concerns that the Miami Marlins thought so well of Jazz’s abilities at second base that they moved him to the outfield. I am sure there were other factors at play. I do not doubt Jazz’s talent. Hopefully, the Marlins were just being the Marlins, the joke of a franchise that caused Derek Jeter to wash his hands of them.

Jazz Chisholm Jr and Aaron Judge

There was a time when I wanted DJ LeMahieu as the starting second baseman. Those days have passed. DJ has not been a reliable part of the lineup for several years. At his age, things will not miraculously get better. He has become a player that is best used sparingly, making him a prime candidate for the bench. I have seen people pencil in Oswaldo Cabrera, but he is not a championship-caliber everyday player. He is a talented, diverse player but a bench option. How the Yankees managed Oswald Peraza in 2024 told me enough about what they think about his future. He is not an option.

The Yankees should spend the money and sign free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman. I think Bregman would be a strong player for the Yankees, but I do not feel his contract fits in the grand scheme. It is not my money; the Yankees have the money, but it is their decision. I like Nolan Arenado, even if most of the Yankees fan base does not. However, like Bregman, cash is prohibitive. I doubt the Cardinals will pay much of the freight, and the Yankees would need to part with quality prospects to make a deal happen. It seems like the obstacles are too significant. I have seen people throw out Alex Bohm of the Philadelphia Phillies as an option. I know less about Bohm than Bregman or Arenado, but I favor any player who can hold third base at a level better than the league average.

I am not sure what the Yankees will do, but they need to do something. Going into training camp as the roster stands today is a mistake. It would just be another offseason in which the Yankees did not do enough to bridge the gap to a championship.

Waiting for the offseason plan to unfold sucks. Hopefully, there will be better days between now and the opening of the training camp in February.

In other moves, the Yankees need to finish their bullpen work. Bring back Tommy Kahnle, and sign either Tim Hill or Andrew Chafin. I am partial to Hill since he has shown he can help the Yankees, but I would not be disappointed with Chafin even if he lost his menacing beard. I would love to see the Yankees sign Jack Flaherty, but that seems like a pipe dream. Shipping out Marcus Stroman's contract is necessary for any significant moves. I wish Stroman could have proven himself to be upper-rotation material for the Yankees, but regardless, he can help…somebody.

I am pleased with the offseason additions of Max Fried and Cody Bellinger, even if the return of Juan Soto would have been more impactful. I am…optimistic…that the Bronx will reenergize Paul Goldschmidt. At worst, he will be an improvement over Anthony Rizzo (which is painful to say, given how much I loved having Rizzo as the team’s first baseman). Devin Williams, supported by Luke Weaver, will be a beast at the end of the games. Nice to have one of the game’s better closers again (which is not a knock against Weaver, who I thought was terrific in the role).

I am interested to see who the Yankees hire as Matt Blake's assistant pitching coach. The Yankees’ website still shows Desi Druschel, who departed earlier this offseason for the crosstown Mets.

Lots of work to do for Team Cashman. The only question is whether they will do it.

As always, Go Yankees!

And First Base is Covered...

 

Paul Goldschmidt (Photo Credit: Jeff Roberson/AP)

Yanks agree to a one-year deal with Paul Goldschmidt…

I was underwhelmed when I heard that the New York Yankees had signed free-agent first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. No offense to Goldy, but I hoped for a more youthful approach to the position. Now that I have had a day to think about it, a one-year, $12.5 Million deal is a solid investment to solidify the position for next season. Worry about first base after the 2025 season; it is not a concern now.

When Christian Walker signed with the Houston Astros, or when the Arizona Diamondbacks traded for Josh Naylor, or when the Cleveland Guardians signed Carlos Santana, or even today's trade of Nathaniel Lowe from the Texas Rangers to the Washington Nationals, Yankees fans on social media bemoaned those were prices the Yankees could have/should have paid. Regardless of how the Yankees landed on Goldschmidt, I am confident they examined every known possibility and looked at some that were not discussed. I hoped for a comparable Tino Martinez after Don Mattingly retired type of acquisition, but that move will wait another day. If the Yankees feel that Paul Goldschmidt is the best solution for the 2025 season, I will give them the benefit of the doubt. I am hopeful Goldy can rebound from his down year in 2024, but at age 37, he will not see his ceiling (NL MVP) again. That would be good enough for me if he could call himself a World Champion Yankee after the 2025 season.

I am sad to see the end of the Anthony Rizzo era in New York. He was quickly a favorite, even if injuries curtailed the last couple of seasons. He is a good guy, and he was once a valuable player. I only regret that we did not see Prime Rizzo in Pinstripes. Nevertheless, I am glad he was a Yankee and appreciated his time on the team. While I liked Luke Voit and his personality, not to mention his ability to go yard, his iron glove at first base was painful. Rizzo's glovework was a welcome relief, and even if Rizzo did not hit like he once did, his defense positively impacted him. While corner infielders should be strong run producers, bringing elite defense to first base is vast, given how active the position is during a game. Goldy is a good gloveman, so there should be no drop-off from Rizzo, or at least when Rizzo was on the field.

Anthony Rizzo (Photo Credit: Robert Sabo/NY Post)

I hope Rizzo stays in the game in some capacity. He is at the end of the road for his playing days. It will not be a long-term relationship, even if he signs on somewhere for next season. When Rizzo transitions to his post-playing career, I hope he stays as a coach. He is undoubtedly a Chicago Cub, and the Cubs may give him a coaching opportunity in their organization. If not, I hope the Yankees do.

As a person, I like Anthony Rizzo better than Paul Goldschmidt, but Goldy is the better player for 2025. Goldy seems like a great family who loves to play the game of baseball. He will have every opportunity to endear himself to the fan base, and I have no reason to believe he will not be successful. He is not a long-term option for the Yankees, but we can have a good run together. At the end of Goldy's run, we will be as grateful for him as we are for Rizzo.

Anthony Rizzo, thank you. The lost time was unfortunate, but you proved worthy of the Pinstripes. You wore them proudly, and we are thankful for your time. Our acceptance and embrace of Paul Goldschmidt as the new Yankees first baseman have nothing to do with your character's quality and desire to win. Sports is a continual changing of the guard. Father Time is undefeated.

When I think of his strength of character, Oscar Gamble will always stand out to me, given that I had the opportunity to meet him during his playing days with the Yankees. He is not a reason the Yankees won the World Series, and he was never the best player on his teams, but the quality of the man was elite. Rizzo passes the Gamble test, and I am hopeful Goldschmidt can, too.

We need to give Paul Goldschmidt a chance. Ben Rice has a good opportunity to back up first base and catcher while learning first base from one of the game's best players over the last decade. I hope Rice can use this time to elevate his game. If Goldy is injured, Cody Bellinger is fully capable of everyday work at first base. The Yankees have the most substantial safety net at first base that we have seen in a few years.

Now that the first base vacancy is solved, the next question is the third/second base. As much as I like Jazz Chisholm, Jr, I prefer him to return to second base. While I would like to see the Yankees re-sign current second baseman Gleyber Torres, Chisholm is the next best option if the Yankees move on from Torres, which is how the tea leaves currently read. I want strong defense at third base, especially after the massive investment in starter Max Fried. DJ LeMahieu can still provide good defense, but it is foolish to count on him as a starter, given his struggles with injuries the past couple of years. Jazz tries, but he is not a trained, experienced third baseman. I value experience and performance in the position. I am not opposed to acquiring St Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado. He is not the player he once was in Colorado, but he will not hurt you at third base. I prefer him over Oswaldo Cabrera, whom I view more as a role/bench player, or Oswald Peraza, a player I think will have a challenging time making the Opening Day roster.

I could accept Alex Bregman just to keep him away from Boston or from returning to Houston. I know some can never take the Houston cheaters, and while I will never forgive Bregman for his role in it, I can appreciate a current commitment to help the Yankees win. We have seen other villains put on the Pinstripes, and we have accepted them. Although you cannot get more villainous than Bregman and Jose Altuve, I believe in second chances. When players put on pinstripes, they value and appreciate it the most. It may not have been the case with Juan Soto, who valued the dollar above all else, but I sincerely believe that Alex Bregman would want to help the Yankees to win if he signed here, just like he will fight to be successful in Boston if he goes there. 

I prefer Arenado over Bregman, but then again, I lived in Denver during Arenado's prime and know what he meant to that city and his teams. Neither player is the player they once were, but who they are now can still help the New York Yankees win the World Series.

At the end of the day, I have no idea who will take third base on Opening Day. Regardless of the man who runs to the bag in the season's first game, I will know it was a decision that was carefully considered by the organization and a decision made in the best interest of changing the outcome of the most recent World Series. I know I have been critical of GM Brian Cashman, but only a fool would say that they do not understand the game of Major League Baseball. They have proven an ability to turn weaknesses into strengths. I will give them the benefit of the doubt on this one.

The best outcome for the Winter would have been to re-sign Juan Soto, but it did not happen. The alternative may not be as good, but it can be just as effective. I never dreamed that Max Fried would be in the starting rotation, yet there he is, right behind ace Gerrit Cole. We should head into the season with Luke Weaver as the team's closer (a role I accepted), but we will have The Airbender instead. If these are Brian Cashman's last years as the Yankees General Manager, he is focused on going out with a bang. I will never underestimate him.

The days ahead should be interesting. Some moves still need to be made, and I do not see the Yankees waiting until Spring Training to address the final holes. Multiple teams' rapid succession of moves quickly closed the first base window this week. The same situation could happen with the other current holes on the Yankees roster. Strike now while there is opportunity.

Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is a team capable of beating all teams for the World Series in 2025. Please, make it happen.

As always, Go Yankees!

If at First (Base) You Don't Succeed...

  

Anthony Rizzo (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

The Yankees cannot punt the remainder of the offseason…

Like most Yankees fans, I have gotten over the sting of Juan Soto’s decision to take the money and run. It would have been nice to see him return for a second season, but alas, life moves on. The Washington Nationals and the San Diego Padres survived life after Soto, and so will the New York Yankees.

I would never attempt to make the argument that the Yankees’ Plan B currently underway is equal to Plan A (Signing Soto), but given the circumstances, fielding an alternative team that can complete with the league’s best is all that we can ask for. The surprise of the offseason was the signing of former Atlanta Braves ace lefty Max Fried. I did not see it coming, but I am certainly glad that he is a Yankee. The Yankees needed a strong Number Two to follow ace Gerrit Cole. The last couple of years have been Cole with three to five level starters (sometimes sixth or seventh!). I have no doubt that Fried will become a personal favorite. A strong lefty is a valuable commodity in Yankee Stadium. I had hoped for more from Carlos Rodón but pushing him down the order in the rotation may help him. Less pressure may allow him the freedom to perform better. Maybe not, but one can hope. I like Carlos despite his struggles at times, and I hope he tastes remarkable success in the seasons to come.

I was a little sad to see Nestor Cortes, Jr go, but I thought the price of Cortes and second base prospect Caleb Durbin was a fair price to pay for one of the game’s best closers. I was ready to go into the 2025 season with Luke Weaver as the team’s designated closer but pairing him with Devin Williams will allow the Yankees to get more creative with Weaver. If Williams misses any time due to injury, it is nice to know that Weaver can step back into the role and thrive. I thought Marcus Stroman might have been the first starter to be shipped out, but Nestor brought Williams to the Yankees, so it had to be him. I will miss Nestor and his atypical pitching style. He was fun to watch, and I always appreciate guys who love being a Yankee.

Nestor Cortes Jr (Photo Credit: Meron Menghistab)

Part of me wishes the Yankees would sign free agent starter Jack Flaherty to free up Luis Gil or Clarke Schmidt for inclusion in a trade to help fill the remaining holes in the roster. However, I do not feel there are any more big contracts coming. As such, the Yankees should hang on to Gil and Schmidt to round out the rotation. Cross that bridge in the future if a young arm from the system ascends to the Major Leagues. Will Warren, we are still waiting for you. I would say Clayton Beeter, but I think the bullpen is his destiny. But hey, prove me wrong. I would love it.

Nevertheless, thank you, Nestor, for your time as a Yankee. We appreciated your work, dedication, and performance on the game’s biggest stage. The results were not always perfect but your desire to be the best never wavered. Milwaukee is gaining a first-class player. I hope Brewers manager Pat Murphy finds ways to maximize your abilities and potential. Sometimes when players leave the Yankees, I hope they will struggle. Not Nestor. I genuinely want the guy to succeed.

Before jumping into the holes on the roster, thanks to the Yankees for finally bringing outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger to the Bronx. I know the trade was met with a mixed reaction by the fan base, but I have always been a Bellinger fan despite his past struggles. He is not Aaron Judge. We know that. He is not Juan Soto, nor does he try to be. He is Cody Bellinger, and he has value to the role that he brings to the team. I like his diversity, I like his home run swing, I like his defensive play, I like his attitude. It is cool that he will be wearing the same number (35) as his father. I am looking forward to seeing the former Yankee (Clay) wearing a Yankees cap. I got tired of seeing him in Dodgers caps a few years ago. It is also cool that both Bellinger’s are/were on the roster the same time as “Mike” Stanton. I know, the most recent one is Giancarlo these days, but I am sure to many, he is still Mike.

Cody and Clay Bellinger (Photo Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins)

I am glad Aaron Judge will return to right field. I was never too comfortable with him in center field, and while he did a decent job, he is a better right fielder. The Yankees improve team defense in right with Judge’s return, while Bellinger will be the better centerfielder.

Bellinger was one of my favorite non-Yankee players so it will not be hard to embrace him as one of my favorite Yankees. A few Belli Bombs to right field will solidify his standing among the fan base, especially if he hits them when they matter the most.

So where are we? The infield is still a mess. We do not have a first baseman, and either second or third is vacant depending upon where you place Jazz Chisholm, Jr. Anthony Volpe has shortstop covered but there is still work to be done. Former Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker is off the board after he signed a three-year deal with the Houston Astros. I am not sure what I thought about Walker. I know he has been a talented player over the years, but he is nearing the end of his shelf life. The same can be said of former D-Backs/St Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt who is still in play as a potential first baseman for the Yankees. I think I might have preferred Walker over Goldy. I do not expect the Yankees to sign Pete Alonso although it would have fun to take something from the Mets. I agree with those who say that Alonso will not age well. The trade options of Yandy Diaz, Nathaniel Lowe, or Josh Naylor make sense. I would be happy with any of those three.

As for second and third, I am flawed in my thinking for sentimental reasons, but I would bring back Gleyber Torres for second base and continue placing him at the top of the batting order. The move would keep Chisholm at third base which might not be the best option when Max Fried is pitching, but DJ LeMahieu is still on the roster and can be the designated third sacker on the days that Fried is pitching. If signing Gleyber is out of the question, move Chisholm to second base and sign Alex Bregman. I despised Bregman and the other Astros players for their cheating ways, but in 2025, I am not going to worry about 2017. Bregman can work to regain admiration from the fan base. He knows how to play, and he can bring value to the team. Bregman’s days as an Astro appear to be over now that Houston has signed Walker, pushing newly acquired Isaac Paredes to third base. I suspect that Bregman will end up in Boston so that we can continue hating him. But if the Yankees took a flyer, I would give him a chance to prove himself.

I hope the Yankees do not stop short in the quest to round out the roster. It seems like every year the team does not do everything it needs to do to field the best possible team. I really hope this year is different. The next couple of years will be the best years of Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole. The Yankees need to take advantage of the window and put the best players on the field around them. This is not the time to go full Arte Moreno on us.

The Yankees still need a few more arms for the bullpen. I continue to hope for a reunion with Philadelphia Eagles fan Tommy Kahnle. Hopefully, the Yankees feel the same way. If Luke Weaver was the great surprise of 2024, I think Atlanta Falcons (former?) starting QB Kirk Cousins’ cousin Jake was not far behind. I am glad Cousins will be back for another go-around. Otherwise, I have confidence the Yankees will find the arms to construct a strong pen. They have seemed to have figured out the formula after the years of watching the Tampa Bay Rays run circles around them with their bullpen choices.

I thought the Yankees might trade backup catcher Jose Trevino this offseason, but the trade of Carlos Narvaez to Boston weakened the replacement strategy. The Yankees think highly of catcher JC Escarra, so I assume he moves up to the next man up position while sitting in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. I do not think he has proven his worth as a backup to starting catcher Austin Wells yet, but he will have his opportunities. In the interim, I fully expect Trevino to be back in 2025. Scratch that, the notification just came across that the Yankees have traded Trevino to Cincinnati for RHP Fernando Cruz and Catcher Alex Jackson. JC, you’re up. 

JC Escarra

I am ready for the gates of Steinbrenner Field to open. Not for them to open for the Tampa Bay Rays as their regular season home in 2025, but the earlier opening for the Spring Yankees. It will be good to see the band back together again. Living in the Los Angeles area, I am tired of the Dodgers fans even if I am slightly one (they are my National League team and of course I live in their backyard). When I wear my Yankees cap in public, I always get grief from the comments made by people. I am ready for a rematch that sees the Yankees dump the Dodgers like 1977 and 1978.

I appreciate the Yankees’ aggressiveness this offseason after losing out to Uncle Steve’s money. They remain New York’s elite team, and overpaying a superstar by the Mets is not going to close the gap on a century of excellence by Major League Baseball’s greatest franchise. It is almost comical that the Mets will go into the 2025 season with Clay Holmes in the starting rotation. When right, Clay is a beast, but when he is not, Yikes! I hope the Mets fans have the stomach for Clay’s sudden loss of control. I have seen Social Media posts that say the Mets signing of Holmes was more valuable than the Yankees signing of Max Fried. Yeah, good luck with that.

Major League Baseball finalized their luxury tax calculations for the 2024 season, and as expected, the Yankees ($62.5 million above the $237 million competitive balance tax threshold) were surpassed by the Dodgers ($103 million above) and the Mets ($97.1 million). It was good to see that nine teams in total surpassed the threshold. With even the (city unknown) Athletics spending this offseason, it is great to see more teams getting aggressive with salaries. Speaking of the A’s, what is the deal with all the ex-Yankees? Luis Severino, Miguel Andujar, Gio Urshela. I am surprised that they did not keep James Kaprelian last year. Gleyber Torres must be atop their leaderboard. If Ronald Torreyes wants to make a comeback, he should call the A’s.

As always, Go Yankees!

Juan, We Hardly Knew Ye...

  

Juan Soto (Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch/Imagn Images)

Soto departs for the “greener” pastures in Queens…

I am disappointed that Juan Soto chose to take the most money for the duration of his major league career even if all of us, most likely, would take top dollar. If the Mets had offered substantially more than the Yankees, it would be one thing, but the Yankees gave an extremely competitive $760 million offer that was only $5 million short of Uncle Steve’s offer. I do not know the exact details, and of course, there were other perks involved, but the Yankees deserved better consideration from Soto. At the end of the day, it shows the quality of his character. As such, maybe it is best that he gave us only one season in the Bronx. I just wish it had not happened at the cost of Michael King in retrospect. I know it is a bit hypocritical to say we would take the most money and then criticize a player for doing exactly that, but one would like to think there were sentimental reasons to stay in Pinstripes, the most storied franchise in baseball history.

As I mentioned in earlier posts, I was never able to fully embrace Soto as a Yankee. I know he is one of the game’s finest young talents, but I was suspicious that things would play out the way they did. I did not want to get emotionally invested in a player who could easily be wearing a rival’s uniform in 2025. This proved to be correct. There is no doubt if Aaron Judge had accepted the offer from the San Francisco Giants, it would have been far more painful that watching Soto parade around Citi Field and saying how no one reached out to him after the season. Such is life. We move on. I wish Soto the best, but now he is just another player I want to beat.

I must admit that I was getting hopeful the Yankees would pivot to Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker, and there was some sense of optimism with recent reports until the official trade with the Chicago Cubs was announced today. Tucker would have gone a long way toward making up for the loss of Soto. Oh well, Team Cashman has time to find other alternatives. Will they? Who knows? But one can have hope.

The Yankees did make a move today in acquiring Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams. 

Devin Williams (Photo Credit: Aaron Cash/AP)

Another beard bites the dust.

Although I appreciated Luke Weaver’s efforts as the team’s closer after the Clay Holmes closing era ended, the combo of Weaver and Williams brings great confidence to the end of games. When Clay Holmes was great, he was fantastic. When he was not, he was Tyler Clippard in his last appearances for the Yankees. Williams brings much greater certainty to the final innings. It is sad to see Nestor Cortes, Jr depart, but it was almost expected. I like Nestor and I appreciate the job he did, but to get quality, you must give up quality. I was probably more surprised that the other Yankee headed to Milwaukee is second base prospect Caleb Durbin who had been penciled in as the second base replacement for Gleyber Torres by many. The Yankees clearly have a plan so we will wait to see how it plays out. Moving Jazz Chisholm, Jr to second base, his original position, makes sense if you want to bring greater defensive certainty to third base. No slight to Jazz who did an admirable job, but we do not need a player learning the position when the stakes are so high.

The question is who will take over third base. I think the past few years have proven that DJ LeMahieu can no longer be counted on as a solution. As much as I dislike the Houston Astros, I would not have an issue if the Yankees were to sign Alex Bregman. Alex Verdugo proved last year that we can forgive former enemies, and Bregman is obviously a much better player. Granted, Verdugo did not cheat to beat the Yankees, but 2017 was another time, and I am only worried about 2025 at this point.

Alex Bregman (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

There is other third base options so we will see how this plays out.

The most probable next trade continues to be outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger. Now that the Cubs have Tucker, they are more motivated than ever to unload Belli’s contract. I like Bellinger. He is not Juan Soto (obviously), but he can fill a role with the Yankees. He can play center field. He can play first base. Both are positions of need for the Yankees. I like his ability to back up the position he does not start. It is cool that his father Clay is a former Yankee, but that is not the reason I want to see Bellinger in Pinstripes. I genuinely feel that he can help. But as much as I like Belli, he cannot be the only offensive addition after the loss of Soto.

Cody Bellinger

I thought the Yankees would be more active during the Winter Meetings this past week, yet I was surprised when they signed former Atlanta Braves ace Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract. I did not see that one coming. I like it…with a bit of caution given his injury history. Hopefully, the Yankees can manage him correctly to keep him on the field. 

Max Fried

Adding guys like Devin Williams will certainly help Fried. Admittedly, I do not know a great deal about Fried. I am not a Braves fan, and I have not followed their team. I knew that Fried and Spencer Strider were the two best pitchers in Atlanta’s starting rotation, but that is about it. My first reaction at hearing the news of Fried’s addition was how much he reminds me of former Yankee Jimmy Key. I am not comparing pitching styles. It is more their personalities or their mound presence. I did not care for Key, the Toronto Blue Jay, but I loved his time as a Yankee. I cannot say that I disliked Fried since I do not really think much about the Braves, but I can see him becoming a personal favorite. I thought Carlos Rodón was going to be a strong number two starter behind Gerrit Cole, and it never happened. I have felt the Yankees needed to find a better option for the last couple of seasons, so it is nice to finally cross that one off the list. Cole to Fried gives confidence on back-to-back days. If Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, and Rodón can pitch to their potential, there are not any weaknesses in the rotation. I wish it would have been a better outcome for Marcus Stroman, but he does appear to be the odd man out unless there is another move that opens a spot in the rotation.

Another move that surprised me this week was the trade that sent catcher Carlos Narvaez to Boston. Although I liked the return, I despise watching the former Yankees thrive in Boston. I would rather see them go to someplace like San Francisco. As for the return, the Yankees received a top twenty prospect from the Red Sox in minor league righthander Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz. 

Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (Photo Credit: Christopher Smith/MassLive)

ERC was the thirteenth-ranked prospect in Boston’s system according to MLB.com. He moved up a spot to twelfth in the Yankees system. The Yankees also received $250,000 in international bonus pool money. The Yankees put the money to effective use on Friday when they signed international prospect Stiven Romans, a 17-year-old shortstop, for approximately $1.5 million. They had been linked to Romans for the 2025 signing period, but the additional money received from the Red Sox allowed them to sign the eligible Romans now. It sets up a potential run at Roki Sasaki for the next signing period although I suspect the Los Angeles Dodgers will win that chase.

I liked Narvaez and I had assumed that he would replace Jose Trevino as the Yankees backup catcher at some point, but it is hard to argue against the additions of Rodriguez-Cruz and Romans. I think the Yankees did well, but of course, only time will tell. In the meantime, I hope Narvaez does not cause too much damage against the home team.

As always, Go Yankees!

The Waiting Game...

Aaron Judge & Juan Soto (Photo Credit: NY Daily News)

Yankees make their initial offers for the most coveted free agent…

I wish I knew how these Juan Soto negotiations would turn out. I would like to say that my gut feeling is that he will be a Yankee for the duration of his career, but unfortunately, I do not have that sense. It has not felt to me that he will be a lifetime Yank. This is clearly one of those times where I hope, I pray that I am wrong. Like everyone else, I want the Yankees to sign Soto to a long-term deal. I do not care if he will make more money than the team’s Captain. I honestly do not believe the Captain cares either so long as Soto’s Yankees career continues. Judge wants to win, and he needs players like Soto to do it.

As much as I like Juan Soto, I could never truly embrace him this season despite his heroics and knowing he shared responsibility for Aaron Judge’s MVP season. The sole reason for the restraint was the potential for a one-and-done season with Soto. It was my self-protection against seeing Soto wearing Mets gear next season or some other team’s marginal fabric.

If Soto returns, I will embrace him as part of the team’s latest and most fantastic core. Aaron Judge is a better player with Juan Soto on the team, and Soto makes others perform to higher standards. I do not care if the Yankees must pay $700 million to sign Soto. It is not my money nor our job to protect Hal Steinbrenner’s pocketbook. The Yankees routinely drive the game’s most significant profits, and it is incredible to think how much they have made for other teams. Whatever it costs to keep Soto, it is worth it. He is a young, fantastic, generational player, and the Yankees can never draft these kinds of players because they keep winning too consistently (such a horrific problem!). Soto proved in his one season how much he means to Aaron Judge and the Yankees lineup. There is no Plan B. No combination of Alex Bregman, Cody Bellinger, Nolan Arenado, Willy Adames, or Ha-Seong Kim equals Soto.

I was surprised at how quickly Blake Snell came off the board when it was announced on Tuesday night that he had signed a five-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Especially since the Yankees had been mentioned among his suitors earlier in the day. Snell would have been nice, but I am not losing any sleep about his decision to take the Dodgers’ money and run. I like the early movement in the free agent market, which hopefully jumpstarts activity this offseason. Free agency has become such a slog through long and protracted negotiations, and waiting until February to see where the dust has settled has not been fun. Good or bad, it would be nice to see the acceleration of the Soto negotiations to bring resolution no later than the upcoming Winter Meetings. Even if Plan B does not equal Plan A (signing Soto), the Yankees need the time and the available talent to effect a quality backup plan. Not too many options left if Soto waits until January to sign.

As for Plan B, there are certain positions the Yankees need to restock regardless of whether Soto returns. The team needs a new first baseman. If you believe it can be Ben Rice, good for you. I do not feel the same. I want a more specific, proven commodity for the position. The Yankees need a new second baseman with the likely departure of Gleyber Torres through free agency. If Caleb Durbin wins the second base job, having both Durbin and Rice in the infield is too much youth (if there is such a thing). I would rather see one position learning to play the game at its highest level, not multiple positions. Anthony Volpe has proven you do not just turn on the light switch. It takes time. I have liked Cody Bellinger for the last few years, so I am certainly not opposed to his acquisition if it happens.

Conversely, I have long admired Nolan Arenado, but it does not mean I want to see Nolan as the team’s new starting first baseman. Arenado was a great third baseman, but he has reached the stage of his career where his best days are behind him. Bellinger provides insurance in center field and his proven ability to play first base. He is younger than Arenado, and it simply makes more sense. Arizona’s free agent first baseman Christian Walker represents the best option. I wish we could have gotten Anthony Rizzo earlier in his career. It is the best I have felt about first base in years. But, as Brett Gardner proved, age happens to everybody, and it has crept up on Rizzo. We need better, which can be provided by Walker or Bellinger.

Cody Bellinger

Christian Walker

As for second base, I would prefer Gleyber’s return. I know much of the fanbase would like to see him walk, but I like his job after he was moved to the top of the batting order. Realistically, however, I do not expect him back. If Caleb Durbin gets the job, I hope he proves the front office right. The other option is to move Jazz Chisholm, Jr. to second base (his natural position until the Miami Marlins thought otherwise). Moving Jazz just relocates the gaping hole from second base to third base. Given his recent injury history combined with his age, I have no confidence in DJ LeMahieu’s ability to contribute consistently and regularly. I think he is past his expiration date, at least in terms of wearing the Yankee pinstripes.

Corbin Burnes would be an excellent addition to play second fiddle for Gerrit Cole, but I do not believe the Yankees will pay top dollars for a starting pitcher. If anything, they will go after a young pitcher with potential. Not sure it is the best move, but the Yankees need more out of the other starting pitchers not named Cole. I wish I had faith in the farm system providing the next great arm, but this season did not give me confidence that one of the youngsters is ready to impress on the game’s biggest stage. The Yankees have proven to be very astute about building quality bullpens. It is time to show that level of expertise with the starting rotation.

Speaking of pitching, I was surprised to see assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel run across town to the Mets. There must be more to the story. If the Yankees had wanted to retain him, they would have. Maybe he became drinking buddies with Carlos Mendoza when they coached with the Yankees. Who knows? Matt Blake should bring in a replacement that will complement his daily work. Druschel is replaceable, so his departure is acceptable. If we have Blake, I feel better about pitching.

For as much good as Jose Trevino has brought to the Yankees, I was surprised the team did not non-tender him. It seems like the time for a changing of the guard is upon us, so I thought Trevino’s time was nearing an end. Perhaps it still is. I would be surprised if Carlos Narvaez were not the designated backup for Austin Wells when Opening Day arrives. Given how many catchers the Yankees have protected on the 40-man roster, it is an area of interest. Nothing against Trevino. I appreciate his work with the team; he has been a great Yankee, but time moves on, and it creates opportunities for better, younger players.

I want to avoid seeing the return of Alex Verdugo. I appreciate his ability to make me accept him as a Yankee this season after how much I despised him in a Red Sox uniform, but that aside, I am fine with one and done. He did not perform to the level that screams he needs to be a long-term Yankee. He was better than the circus of clowns the previous year, but the Yankees can improve. The improvement may be Jasson Dominguez. Maybe it is not. Dominguez deserves the opportunity to prove he can be the left-field answer. I'm not crazy about trying to develop a Major League second baseman while doing the same in the outfield, but Dominguez deserves the chance. Let the kid play.

Despite my frustrations during his time as a closer, I am saddened that Clay Holmes will depart. Good Holmes was great. Bad Holmes was awful. He did better when the closer role was lifted from him. If it were up to me, I would probably bring him back, but I think the Yankees will move on. Maybe they will surprise us. We shall see. As stated earlier, the Yankees are good at building bullpens, and I fully expect more of the same with or without Holmes.

I always look forward to the end of Thanksgiving weekend so that the actual Major League Baseball offseason can begin. I love the Winter Meetings even if I am disappointed more years than not. It is the highlight of the offseason. Then, we will wait for the gates to open in Tampa. Of course, this year, the Yankees will be holding Spring Training in the regular season home of the Tampa Bay Rays, the new…albeit temporary…tenant of Steinbrenner Field. It will be weird next season to see the Yankees play a “road game” at Steinbrenner Field and be forced to relinquish the home team’s digs to the Rays.

Oh well, it's time to sit and wait. I want to see the banner headline on MLB Trade Rumors read: Yankees To Sign Soto. C’mon, Hal, please make it happen.

Juan Soto (Photo Credit: @juansoto_25 via Instagram)

Daniel Jones finds a new home…

Many Yankee fans are Giants fans, so I routinely see the posts about the Giants on my X feed. I routinely saw negative posts about Jones while he was still with the Giants. After his release, my Minnesota Vikings surfaced as a potential landing spot, and I don't know how I felt about it. Sam Darnold has done okay as the Vikings’ starting QB after the free-agent departure of Kirk Cousins. How can you fault a man who has led his team to a 9-2 record? But Darnold is a one-and-done player (which seems to be a common theme in this post). He is on a one-year, $10 million deal with the Vikings, and he has increased his worth with his play this season. I do not expect him to return to the Vikings next season, not with young JJ McCarthy ready to hit the field again next year after he recovers from his season-ending injury this season. Nick Mullens is an excellent backup QB, but he is not someone I want to see starting consistently if the starter goes down. Brett Rypien is not his uncle, and despite how much he may know about football, he is replaceable. So, I am willing to take a shot with Daniel Jones.

Daniel Jones (Photo Credit: Cooper Neill/Getty Images/Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire)

Jones will join the Vikings on Friday after it was announced today that he was joining their practice squad. I see the practice squad as a temporary measure, and Jones will be part of the active roster sooner than later. It is an excellent opportunity for Jones to prove he represents good insurance for McCarthy going forward. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, a former quarterback, has proven to be a QB-friendly coach, and if he can coax better performance out of Darnold, he can do the same for Jones. Maybe Jones has limitations that can never be fixed, but he is an NFL quarterback and has value, at least as a backup QB for a young, promising player. Players like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and TJ Hockenson can make any QB look better.

I am willing to give Jones a chance. Everybody deserves a chance for redemption. It did not work out for Jones in New York, but it does not mean he is forever a failure. A different system. Different players. Different coaches, different schemes. Give it a chance. He will either succeed or fail. The upside is worth it. If it does not work out, move on. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. At this point, his Giants career is in the rearview mirror. Jones has the chance to rewrite the script. Let him.

Lastly…

I want to wish everybody a Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for the Yankees and Yankee fans everywhere. The Yankees Universe reigns supreme even if the trophy sits in Chavez Ravine.

As always, Go Yankees!

Sadly, the Season Ends or is it the Season Ends Sadly...

 

Carlos Rodon, Giancarlo Stanton, & Aaron Judge (Photo Credit: Jason Szenes/NY Post)

The Yankees botch their way out of championship dreams…

The World Series did not begin or finish as we would have liked, but I appreciate the 2024 New York Yankees making it to MLB’s Championship Series. Undoubtedly, much second-guessing and finger-pointing can be done, but it serves no purpose. The Yankees were beaten by the better team. A more deserving team? Maybe not, but ‘what will be, will be’. I congratulate the Los Angeles Dodgers, a franchise that has historically played second fiddle to the great Yankees teams over the last century.

The World Series loss does not need to define the current group of Yankees. We do not know who will take the field in 2025 outside of a select few, but I remember feeling as low as I have ever felt as a Yankees fan after the 1995 playoff loss to the Seattle Mariners in Don Mattingly’s final voyage wearing the famed Pinstripes. I think the next few years after that horrific loss ended well if memory serves correctly. The Yankees have much to do this off-season, but how they rebound will determine how history views them. There is time for Aaron Judge to prove that he can be a money player when the chips are on the line. I know his 2024 post-season was forgettable, and I have seen those who say it will define how they perceive him going forward, but why? I am more interested in watching Judge re-write his story next season.

There is no question the Yankees need Juan Soto. I am concerned. While I would like to think the Yankees made a strong, positive impression on the young slugger, I am sure he enjoyed the rock star reception he received at home and on the road as part of baseball’s most storied franchise. However, his agent is Scott Boras, and millions of dollars will be a more significant determinant of his next team than millions of Yankees fans.  Watching Soto go across town for the Mets or join the current World Series Champions will be tough. However, Soto’s final decision does not alter the fact that I love the New York Yankees.  I hope Hal Steinbrenner is actively involved in the negotiations and does everything he needs to ensure that Juan Soto and Aaron Judge are the keystone tandem for the immediate future. Soto’s presence helps Judge, and it helps everybody else in the lineup.  Soto’s return will help ensure the Yankees can return to the World Series with the right offseason moves. While I do not feel that Aaron Judge in center field and Juan Soto in right are the best alignments, the Yankees have an offseason to figure out the correct usage of the players if Soto returns. The Yankees are better with Judge in the right field, but Judge and Soto are more powerful together in the same lineup.

Juan Soto & Aaron Judge (Photo Credit: Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

As much as I loved Soto this season, it was hard to fully embrace him, knowing he was possibly a one-year rental. I so hope that does not prove to be factual. I will fully embrace Soto next season if he returns to the Bronx on a long-term deal.  I wanted the Yankees to sign Gerrit Cole. They did. I wanted the Yankees to sign Aaron Judge. They did. I want the Yankees to sign Juan Soto. They…to be determined.

I was sad to see the Yankees decline the mutual option on first baseman Anthony Rizzo, but I hardly fault the club's decision. I wish we had experienced a young Rizzo, and I am grateful that we experienced the time we did, but the Yankees can do better at first base. I cannot say that I would be enthused about signing Mets free agent first baseman Pete Alonso, but he would be an upgrade. Even if I like Rizzo better than Alonso, Alonso is clearly the better player at this point in their respective careers. Although the Yankees should (and most likely will) move on from outfielder Alex Verdugo, Verdugo proved I could get behind a player I formerly despised. Marcus Stroman is in that category, too. Stroman’s finish to the season was not good, but I thought he did well enough as a middle-of-the-rotation starter. If you placed higher expectations, of course, you would be disappointed. However, I genuinely believe that both Verdugo and Stroman valued wearing Pinstripes, and regardless of what their respective futures hold, I wish them the best as they move forward. I think the Yankees will move on from both players. Yet, if they return, I will support either one, or I hope they can make the adjustments to make 2025 better than 2024.

The Yankees’ decision to pick up the club option on reliever Luke Weaver might be the easiest decision the Cashman Administration has ever made.  Weaver proved that he could carry the closing torch in 2025 and that it was worth more than the Yankees were paying him. I hope they take care of him and reward him for excelling in the bullpen when his pay was structured for a starter.  As much as I wanted the Yankees to replace Clay Holmes as closer, I appreciate Holmes was better in a setup role. It was probably not enough to convince the Yankees to bring him back, but he is another player who is most likely out the door through free agency, yet I would support his return.  The Yankees need to improve their bullpen in the offseason, and there is comfort in knowing that Weaver has the back door covered. He will need guys who can bridge the gap from the starters to keep games in position to win in the final inning (or two). If not, I hope the Yankees can find someone who can consistently be the “good” Holmes before Weaver takes the mound. 

Anthony Volpe must go on a soul-searching expedition this offseason to find his better self and discover what it takes to elevate his game to the next level. Go spend a few weeks in Florida with Derek Jeter. Fortunately, youth and talent are on his side, so I am cautiously optimistic he will arrive in Tampa next Spring as a man on a mission. I am not ready to say the Yankees need to find a new shortstop, but next season will be our final answer. 

Anthony Volpe (Photo Credit: Vincent Marchietta/Imagn Images)

The season is over, and I want Gleyber Torres back. I know he was frustrating for the average Yankees fan to watch this season, particularly the first half. Yet, he showed enough later in the year that it is not time to part ways.  He excelled in the problematic leadoff position and would be hard to replace. I would be sad to see Gleyber playing for a division rival or the Kansas City Royals next year. Maybe Caleb Durbin is destined to be an All-Star second baseman. Volpe proved that it generally takes time with any young, talented player. I would rather go with the certainty Gleyber brings in 2025 than handing Durbin his training wheels. Some will be happy to see Gleyber leave but do not count me among that group.  The Yankees need Gleyber to reclaim the AL Championship in 2025. They can make the World Series without him, yes, but the path is more accessible with him.

Gleyber Torres (Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post)

I have long respected DJ LeMahieu. For the years I lived in Denver, he might have been my favorite Rockie on the local team. Despite the injuries, I have appreciated his time as a Yankee, but it is time to move on because of the injuries and his age. I am tired of the Yankees playing players out of position. LeMahieu is a second baseman who can play third or first. It does not mean I want him as the team’s starting third or first baseman.  Maybe the Yankees will move out of position third baseman Jazz Chisholm, Jr to second base, his natural position if Gleyber leaves, but in his case, there is a reason the Miami Marlins decided to move him to the outfield.  Hard to explain or understand any decision by the Marlins, but as the saying goes, where there is smoke, there is fire. For LeMahieu, it is time to bite the bullet and eat his contract ala Josh Donaldson and Jacoby Ellsbury.  I am not interested in seeing if he can stay healthy next season, as he will be a year older and on the fast track in the age regression lane.  Bring me legitimate third and first basemen!

The Yankees must either commit to helping Jasson Dominguez become a valued left fielder for the team or move on. Dominguez did not show enough to prove he is a 2025 answer, but I will support the Yankees if they believe he will. If they believe he cannot overcome his flaws, move on and find a left fielder who gives us the confidence of Brett Gardner in the role. I am tired of the continued black hole in the position since Gardy left.

As for the coaching staff, Aaron Boone solidified his return with the World Series appearance, and Brad Ausmus was an effective bench coach. I like Luis Rojas, and I thought he was an improvement over Phil Nevin, but it is time for a new third-base coach. Did James Rowson excel as the team’s hitting coach? I am not so sure. I could go either way on his return. Matt Blake will be back, as he should, but there is work to be done with the starting rotation and bullpen.  Travis Chapman remains the coach I know nothing about.

Gerrit Cole exercised the opt-out in his contract today, but I would be shocked if the Yankees let him go. He is the team’s ace, and nothing is comparable on the free-agent market (despite Blake Snell’s opt-out in San Francisco). Gerrit Cole is a Yankee and will be one when April rolls around. I fully expect the Yankees to add the one year at $36 million to his contract that will void the opt-out.  If Weaver was an easy decision, this is the second easiest. Or maybe the easiest when you consider what Cole brings to the rotation. If Hal lets Cole leave over $36 million, the team is not serious about contending next season. 

It is hard to think about any moves while Juan Soto is free. I want a quick resolution, but I know this will be long and drawn out. I hope it does not prevent the Yankees from making the other necessary moves to eliminate the 2024 flaws that prevented them from enjoying champagne at the season’s end. 

The Yankees generally disappoint us every offseason, and I expect this year to be no different. They always do a little but need more. Cashman, please prove me wrong. You, sir, are on the clock…

As always, Go Yankees!

Old Friends Reunited: The Yankees & the ALCS…

 

The Yankees celebrating ALDS Success (Photo Credit: NY Daily News)

Yankees Advance to Next Round by Royally Winning…

The Yankees are back where they belong…the American League Championship Series. The Yankees have made more ALCS appearances than any other American League club. Their total of nineteen appearances leads the Boston Red Sox, the team with the second most, by seven. The team is 11-7 in the eighteen completed championship series. They have won fifty total ALCS games, leading Boston by eighteen wins. Unfortunately, the Yankees have not won the ALCS since 2009 despite appearances in 2010, 2012, 2017, 2019, and 2022. The sixth time is a charm!

Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, & Jazz Chisholm, Jr (Photo Credit: NY Post/Charles Wenzelberg)

The Yankees now await the winner of the deadlocked ALDS battle between the Cleveland Guardians and the Detroit Tigers. On Saturday, they will play their winner-take-all ALDS Game 5 finale in Cleveland, Ohio. If the Tigers advance (likely…considering Tarik Skubal will be on the mound), the Yankees will get a chance to avenge the ALCS sweep by the Tigers in 2012. Cleveland last advanced to the World Series in 2016 before they made Anthony Rizzo and his then-Cubs teammates immortal in Chicago for the rest of their lives.

I do not care who the Yankees face. To be the best, you beat the best, so let the best team emerge from the final ALDS, whichever team that may be. Not that facing an awakening Jose Ramirez would be fun, but trust the men in Pinstripes. If the Yankees are the best team, they will beat whoever shows up for Game 1 of the ALCS in the Bronx.

With no disrespect to Captain Aaron Judge, the Yankees are in the ALCS, thanks primarily to Giancarlo Stanton, Gerrit Cole, Gleyber Torres, Luke Weaver, and Jon Berti. Berti’s name looks like an outcast in this group, but he stepped in and did an admirable job at first base for a non-first baseman. He could have quickly (and excusably, without experience) butchered the position. Clay Holmes was dominant in his new bullpen role. I am happy that he has rediscovered magic, but it does not mean that I would want him to reclaim his old job as the closer. I am 100% behind Luke Weaver and his quirky personality, zany sense of humor, and electric arm as the team’s designated closer. I was a little surprised in the offseason when the Yankees re-signed Weaver. I had no complaints about his work last year, but I thought the pitcher and the team would part ways in the offseason. There was nothing special about his 2023 performance, at least not what stood out to make him a “must sign” player. Yet, he stepped up to fill a tremendous void in the bullpen, first through setup and, lastly, through the back end of games. People say the Yankees should sign Kenley Jansen this winter through free agency. I like Kenley, even if he has many miles on his arm, but Weaver should be the man until he proves he cannot sustain the position. In other words, I would rather have Weaver over Jansen or virtually any other potential replacement. If the Yankees had a chance for an elite closer, Weaver should not stand in their way, but I do not believe the current Yankees regime will pay top dollar for the bullpen like they once did. So, the combination of the team’s current fiscal conservatism in the bullpen and Weaver’s emergence led me to believe Weaver was the right man at the right time.

Oswaldo Cabrera & Luke Weaver (Photo Credit: AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

It is too early to talk about next season, but I hope the Yankees can find it in their budget to sign Gleyber Torres to a new contract. He took so much heat early in the season, and a poll of Yankees fans would have favored letting him go in free agency. But his placement atop the batting order later in the regular season coincided with a resurgence that has made him a vital player for October. He will always botch a routine play now and again, but even the great and legendary Derek Jeter was not immune from making those. The hustle concerns are correctable, and he has shown improvement. Players like Aaron Judge help to elevate Gleyber’s play and performance. The body of work, at least what Gleyber showed over the second half of the season, warrants his return.

Gleyber Torres (Photo Credit: Brad Penner/Imagn Images)

Caleb Durbin may be an All-Star second baseman one day. Good for him. He has yet to prove it at the Major League level. Gleyber is playing like he wants to be the team’s starting second baseman today, tomorrow, and next year. Let him. If he suddenly becomes Daniel Jones after he gets the big money, that is the risk you face with anybody. If it happens, the team will have to deal with it at that time, but it should not stop the team from bringing him back based on what he currently means to the organization and the players he has gone to war with. Juan Soto will be a Yankee next season if the team pays him the most money in free agency, yet I think how they treat other players, like Gleyber, in the offseason will draw Soto’s attention. If Gleyber is treated poorly, it could be a deciding factor if, for example, the Yankees and Mets offered the same amount of money, causing Soto to jump to Queens. That might be an unlikely scenario, but Soto cares about his friends.

There were times this season when Gerrit Cole disappointed me. His late start out of the gate for health reasons (not his fault) was the primary cause. He certainly was not the ace he was in 2023 when he won the AL Cy Young Award, but he showed up for the series clincher against the Kansas City Royals. That is why he is paid big bucks. I always fear a Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde performance by any pitcher, ala Carlos Rodón, but Cole brought his “A” game (despite tiring late) when it mattered most. I am sure I will have anxiety in his upcoming starts, but he did what he needed to do against the Royals. I hope it continues when he faces either the Guardians or the Tigers.

I hope we get the best of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto for the ALCS. I am happy when the team wins, regardless of who makes the necessary hits, plays, and pitches, but the world is a better place when Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are the Kings of the World. For Judge’s Yankees legacy, I want to see him come up huge in the postseason. Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams, Andy Pettitte, and Mariano Rivera will forever be remembered for what they did in October. Judge will never match their number of rings, although I certainly would not complain if he did, but he can make a name for himself in the franchise’s long history of postseason success.  He is in a position that the great Don Mattingly could never reach. I loved Mattingly as a Yankee and feel the same about Judge. I do not want to see Judge come up short and never experience the feeling of being a World Champion in Pinstripes.

Aaron Judge (Photo Credit: NY Daily News)

Is this the year we can quit talking about 2009? I hope so. Keep it going, guys. Eight more wins to your destiny.

As always, Go Yankees!