Is the Season Beginning or is it Ending? ...

 

Aaron Boone and Gerrit Cole (Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post)

Starting Rotation gives up significant hit…

Unfortunately, the hit absorbed by the starting rotation was not a meaningless single to left, it is the likely loss of the Ace of the Staff, Gerrit Cole. Fans are jumping off the ledge while the Yankees Universe awaits the MRI results on Gerrit Cole’s right elbow. It is not so much the MRI results, but the subsequent medical opinions based on the results that we await. The concerns expressed by both Cole and Yankees GM Brian Cashman raise the red flags that Cole will miss time. How much time is TBD? We could look at months for the best-case scenario and a year and a half for the worst-case scenario if Tommy John surgery is required. It is safe to assume that this will not be a Cy Young year for Cole.

In the words of former Yankees manager Joe Girardi, it’s not what you want. But there is always a chance a pitcher will go down. You hope for good health and immense success, but injuries do not seek out the less talented players. They do not discriminate. Good or bad at playing baseball, the risk of injury is consistently present.

I am not ready to admit defeat for the season because Gerrit Alan Cole cannot play. I am grateful the Yankees signed former Atlanta Braves ace Max Fried in the off-season, but Fried and injuries are well known to each other. The keys to the starting rotation will be Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt. Their performances will go a long way toward determining which direction this year’s club takes.

I had hoped the club would trade Marcus Stroman to free up some cash to seek an upgrade for third base, but Stroman will be part of the 2025 rotation whether we like it or not. I hope for better results in Year 2. I like what we have seen from Will Warren this Spring, and I am optimistic he can keep it up when the real games begin, and he is fed a conveyor belt of major league hitters. When the Yankees gave Carlos Carrasco a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, I assumed it would be one of those opt-out situations if Carrasco could show other teams that he was capable. Instead, he will likely be asked to join the Yankees rotation to begin the year. I would have been excited to have him in the rotation a few years ago. But with the passing of time and the inevitable aging that happens to all of us, reliance on Carrasco is not where I wanted to be this year.

Once Upon a Time in Cleveland: Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco

There will be no opportunity to land a frontline starter in March. A strong middle-of-the-rotation arm is a tough ask. It would take going after a pitcher like Jordan Montgomery, who has something to prove with a contract that his present club finds a bit uncomfortable.

In other words, there are not too many options.

I wish there were greater readiness in the farm system. Other teams might perk up if the Yankees offered George Lombard, Jr, in a trade, but that should be off the table regardless of the state of the Starting Rotation. I am not trying to prospect-hold, but if there is one prospect in the Yankees system I want to keep, it is Lombard, Jr, who looks to be a future superstar. I thought some of the other prospects would be future superstars but ‘over-hyped’ tends to be the more common theme. I would like to think Lombard, Jr, can be the exception to the rule.

Oswaldo Cabrera has emerged as the frontrunner for third base. I am disappointed because I see Cabrera’s best asset as his diversity in playing multiple positions. I am not convinced he can provide the production needed from one of the corner infield positions. Maybe he proves me wrong. I am okay with that. But realistically, I would go into the season more confidently in the position. I get there will be no last-minute trade for Nolan Arenado before the season begins. Luis Rengifo is off the table too since he will not be ready for Opening Day. Maybe a Luis Arraez trade, including Dylan Cease, would be the perfect trade this time of year.

If Cabrera is named the Opening Day starter at third base, what does it mean for Oswald Peraza? Out of options, his only chance with the Yankees is to make the big-league club. If it does not happen, he will find himself designated for assignment, with enough talent another club would take a bite unless the Yankees can offload him in a trade. If you do not believe Peraza can be a starter, I would like to know whether you should stand behind him as a role player. My preferred path would be Peraza as the starter, with Cabrera maintaining his super-utility role, but the Yankees know better than I.

When Spring Training opened, I had no idea who would back up Austin Wells at catcher. I assumed it was Alex Jackson, the veteran catcher, who was netted in the trade of Jose Trevino to the Cincinnati Reds last December. It's not that I thought Jackson was a potential talent, but it's more of a ‘who is left’ situation after the Yankees traded Carlos Narvaez to the Boston Red Sox. I like the JC Escarra story, the Uber driver who made good on a dream. He has displayed the talent to succeed in a backup role at the Major League level. It is not like we need a platoon partner for Wells. For all the catchers the Yankees have drafted in recent years, it seems weird that the best candidate is a minor league free agent that started in the Baltimore Orioles organization. I like Escarra and I hope he can succeed on the big-league roster. If Ben Rice makes the roster as a bench player, he will provide depth in catching and first base. I use the word ‘if’ but I think Rice has made the roster for his bat if nothing else.

Ben Rice

The Yankees could always swing a last-minute trade for a backup catcher before the team heads north. Many clubs face problematic decisions. Keep the phone lines open.

Regardless of whether the Yankees will miss Gerrit Cole, Giancarlo Stanton, Luis Gil, and Juan Soto, I refuse to give up on the season. There is talent on the roster. It needs to be subsidized but that is Brian Cashman’s job. He needs to figure it out. Last time I looked at the Yankees' record for the 2025 season, it was 0-0, which is matched by all other clubs. The missing guys were not the sole keys to winning. They certainly contributed to it, but other guys need to step up. No one will step up to Juan Soto’s level, but there are pathways to the club’s 28^th World Championship if Cashman can find the right ingredients.

Although the Yankees' transactions have been quiet for the past few weeks, things should start to heat up (a little) as we get closer to Opening Day. I fully expect a Yankees move or two that will change who makes the Opening Day roster. Whether we are surprised and excited remains to be seen, but there will be moves.

If there is a takeaway from this post, please do not give up on the 2025 New York Yankees. Please feel free to exit if the team is twenty games out in July and in a downward spiral. But until then, the team needs our support. I will not bail on the Yankees because they have lost key players. I look forward to the guys who can be effective while they are out.

As always, Go Yankees!

Marching to a New Season...

 

Aaron "MVP" Judge

Don’t Look Now, the Regular Season is just a few weeks away…

Even though Spring Training only opened a couple of weeks ago, I am ready for it to end. Bring on Opening Day. With the calendar page turning from February to March, we have entered the month of the season opener at Yankee Stadium on March 27 against Nestor Cortes, Jr. and the Milwaukee Brewers. It is so close yet so far away.

After saying “toss the razors,” the Yankees made another momentous change when they announced Frank Sinatra’s “Theme from New York, New York” would no longer be played at Yankee Stadium after losses. I think it is the right move. In my opinion, it never seemed like the right song to play after losses. I am old enough to remember the days of going to the stadium hoping for a win to hear the song. Other Sinatra songs are acceptable for the losses, I am glad “Theme from New York, New York” will be saved for the victories. Start spreading the news…

As for the team itself, injuries and absences are the name of the game. Giancarlo Stanton left the team a week ago. When he first left, I thought it was related to the tennis elbow in both arms, but it was subsequently reported that he was away for personal reasons. There is no timetable for his return. I have no idea what to expect from Stanton this season. If his departure is long-term, the Yankees should consider a free agent signing of a proven veteran like JD Martinez to occupy the designated hitter slot for the team. But if Stanton is only out a few weeks, it makes more sense to rotate players through DH. Martinez can still be an effective bat, but it would have to be a one-year deal for limited cash to make it worthwhile.

I don't know what to think about Stanton. Given how secretive the Yankees have been about him, I am pessimistic about his projected contributions for the 2025 season. Hopefully, it is nothing, and Stanton can contribute for most of the season (and October, assuming the team qualifies), with JD Martinez finding employment elsewhere. The Yankees have already announced that Stanton will begin the season on the Injured List, so plans should be made without him. My preference would be to plan for the worst-case scenario.

Scott Effross, snake-bit as a Yankee…at least when it comes to injuries, is on the shelf again after suffering a hamstring injury during his first Spring game last week. The injury was diagnosed as a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, eliminating the reliever’s readiness for Opening Day. Hopefully, he takes the proper recovery measures and rest to ensure that he does not reaggravate the injury, setting him further behind. Since his acquisition from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline in 2022, Effross has spent more time on the Injured List than the active roster. Obviously, the need for Tommy John surgery, and the subsequent recovery and rehab is the primary culprit. Still, Effross has dealt with other issues, giving the Yankees only glimpses of his appearance on a playing field. Scotty, we hardly know ye.

Here is hoping he recovers quickly and efficiently from the hamstring injury and gives the Yankees a reliable reliever upon his return to active status later this season. But if his absence opens the door for a potential wild card like Eric Reyzelman, I like it.

The starting rotation was dealt a blow when it was announced that Luis Gil needs an MRI. Gil experienced tightness near his right shoulder during a bullpen session on Friday. Whether it is serious or not, Gil will likely miss considerable time. Hopefully, the MRI will yield better than expected news and not lead to a “he needs Tommy John surgery” situation. The “winner” of the Gil news is Marcus Stroman, who can slide into the rotation’s fifth spot. Stroman has gone from the player most likely to be traded to a needed part of the rotation, unless the Yankees decide to go with Will Warren based on his productive Spring or acquire a veteran arm through the trade market. I would still prefer to see the Yankees move Stroman and his contract if the money is why the Yankees have not aggressively pursued better options for third base. Stroman’s potential production can be replaced with cheaper options without sacrificing quality.

Hopefully, rest is the prescription for Gil, and he can take the mound in the coming weeks to build himself back up again for the rigors of a regular season. The last thing the Yankees need is for Gil to be shelved for the next 12 to 18 months.

In unsurprising news, DJ LeMahieu tweaked his calf during his Spring debut on Saturday. At this point, the only surprising news would be good health. I was a huge fan of LeMahieu during his days with the Colorado Rockies, and the start of his Yankees career was impressive. Sadly, Father Time caught up with LeMahieu, and the best is not yet to come. The best of DJ LeMahieu is in the rearview mirror; in his case, objects are not closer than they appear.

Suppose the rumors were true that the Yankees were ready to designate LeMahieu for assignment last Fall. In that case, they are clearly looking at insurance as a subsidy to pay LeMahieu as a reason they have kept him around. LeMahieu has reached the end of his useful Yankees life. Let him go finish his remaining years on another roster. Sorry, but that is the hard, harsh reality of Major League Baseball. The 26-man roster should be the best twenty-six men you can access. No loyalty is owed to players who no longer can play to the back of their baseball card.

With LeMahieu out of the picture, at least temporarily, the third base battle surfaces as Oswaldo Cabrera versus Oswald Peraza. Undoubtedly, I want Peraza to win the job between the two players. I believe Cabrera is best served by backing multiple positions and not being the everyday guy at a certain position. Peraza has potential. Whether he can reach it remains to be seen, but Peraza is a better fit to accomplish team goals. I am still hoping to acquire a gold glove, veteran bat (whomever that may be), but with each passing day, nothing but crickets on the Yankees transaction wire other than minor league moves.

I get why many do not want Nolan Arenado and I am certainly not going to say they are wrong, but I think Nolan can help if the Yankees can get him at Brian Cashman’s price. It may never happen, and the St Louis Cardinals might feel it is better to hold Nolan until the trade deadline. If Nolan gets off to a hot start in 2025, it will certainly improve his stock for the Cardinals’ benefit.

There are other strong third base options Brian Cashman could acquire so until the Opening Day Roster is announced, I hold out hope Cashman will seek outside assistance for third base and bypass the internal options. This action would spell the end of Peraza’s Yankees career since he is out of options. Cabrera certainly has a role on the bench. The Yankees lost the 2024 World Series. They need to figure out a way to be champions. Rolling the dice with players who have not proven themselves is a risky proposition. As a championship-ready club, the Yankees need a strong third baseman to instill confidence among the team with his bat, glove, and leadership ability. I think Arenado has these qualities, even in his age 34 season. Okay, it is not happening (Arenado’s acquisition). I will let it go. I just hated to see the Boston Red Sox add an accomplished third baseman even though they already have one, and the player has elevated the team's chances to succeed in the AL East. I want a counter that can be as effective for the Yankees.

I am glad to see the Boston Red Sox will be playing competitive baseball again. The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry is the best in the AL East. I respect the young hitters on the Baltimore Orioles, but the Yankees-Orioles rivalry has never been that thrilling. The O’s management team does not seem all that committed to success given their reluctance to pursue top pitching through free agency and trades. The Blue Jays and Rays are just annoying. Yankees-Red Sox is the best rivalry in MLB, and it is best when both teams are at the top of their game.

I have not enjoyed watching the early struggles in left field by Jasson Dominguez, but after just two weeks of training camp, I refuse to condemn him. I already see numerous calls among the fan base to re-sign last year’s left fielder Alex Verdugo, who remains on the open market. The fact that Verdugo is a free agent in March should tell you something. He is not the answer. I feel Dominguez deserves more time. He is a young kid and has mastered the challenges he faced before. I have no reason to believe he cannot learn the nuances of playing a corner outfield position or the vast left field in Yankee Stadium. Like anything, he needs time. Players should not be crucified for Spring performances. They are trying things they would not try in a regular season game. As a result, the success rate will be far less than you would normally expect. Some fans say the Yankees should bring Brett Gardner in as a left field consultant. I am not sure Gardy wants to get back in the game, but if the Yankees could figure out a way to bring him back in, I would be all for it. He would certainly have valuable input on how to play Yankee Stadium’s left field.

I do not buy into the argument that the solution is moving Dominguez back to center, moving Cody Bellinger to left field. Belli will greatly influence the team’s chances and success in 2025. He is made for Yankee Stadium and its short right porch. He is an excellent centerfielder and first baseman. I want Belli to be in the best position to succeed. I do not want to see Belli trying to learn a position in his first year as a Yankee. He has too much to offer in the things he does best. Leave him alone.

Cody Bellinger, a born-to-be Yankee

I have no problem with Aaron Boone’s three-year extension that will pay him $15 million. It is essentially a two-year extension through the 2027 season, but Boone gets a pay hike to $4.5 million for the upcoming season. He will make $5 million next season, and $5.5 million in the 2027 season. If I saw available managers who could do a significantly better job than Boone, I would be furious about the extension. Still, at the end of the day, Boone’s good qualities are valuable and nobody would be a difference-maker. Perhaps there is untapped managerial potential with certain guys rising through the coaching profession (I am sure there are), but the Yankees need a ‘been there, done that’ guy at the top of the club’s food chain. Granted, Boone had no experience when he was hired, but it is safe to say that he is now an experienced manager, for better or worse. The Tampa Bay Rays did a wonderful job replacing Joe Maddon with the then-unproven Kevin Cash, but the Yankees are not in the rebuilding cycle that they can afford to take a chance on a guy like that.

The best thing a team can do for a manager is put the best coaches around him and the best players on the field. Do not leave holes at certain positions, like third base, relying on a wing and a prayer. Ultimately, this falls back on GM Brian Cashman as the man who must be held accountable.

Lastly, I am not sure what I think about President Trump’s mention of a possible pardon for the late Pete Rose. Look, I watched Pete play and saw him perform in person, but he crossed an ethical line and never showed remorse. I have difficulty granting him clemency even if he is six feet below. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is looking into possible reinstatement. I think what Trump wants, he will get so it is likely Rose will be granted a reprieve that will lead to his entry to the Hall of Fame. I do believe he was a Hall of Fame player, even if he was a disgusting man.

My posts have been less frequent than usual. I am attempting to make another move. I lived in Colorado for four years and have completed nearly five years in Southern California. While the weather is great, I am on the move again. Next up is the non-Major League Baseball state of New Mexico. Family reasons make the call, but I am looking forward to the new adventure. I am not a fan of the Colorado Rockies, but I have already purchased my first Albuquerque Isotopes baseball cap. The Isotopes are the Rockies’ Triple A affiliate. I plan to make regular appearances at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park, affectionately called “The Lab.”  My home will be outside of Albuquerque, but close enough to commute.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

I look forward to the new memories, and beautiful sunsets. I will try not to go “Walter White, a/k/a Heisenberg” on the community.

As always, Go Yankees!